Kenya Plunged Into Mourning as Raila Odinga Dies At 80

A wave of profound shock and national grief has swept across Kenya following the death of veteran politician and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. The man affectionately known as ‘Baba’ by his legions of supporters, who profoundly shaped the country’s political landscape for decades, died at the age of 80.

Mr. Odinga reportedly passed away on Wednesday in Kochi, Kerala, India, where he had travelled for Ayurvedic treatment. According to hospital authorities, he succumbed to a cardiac arrest after collapsing during a morning walk at the facility.

The End of an Era

The news of Odinga’s passing has brought the country to a standstill, marking the end of a remarkable and often turbulent political career that spanned over forty years. From his early life as a political detainee fighting for multi-party democracy to his tenure as Prime Minister (2008-2013) and his role as the perennial leader of the opposition, Odinga remained a titan of Kenyan politics.

For millions, particularly those in the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Odinga was more than just a politician; he was a symbol of resistance, reform, and the pursuit of social justice. His death leaves a massive void in the nation’s political leadership.

Tributes Pour In From Across the Divide

Condolences are pouring in from all corners of the globe, reflecting Odinga’s status as a continental statesman.

In Kenya, the grief has transcended political lines. President William Ruto, a longtime political rival who recently found common ground with Odinga through various bipartisan initiatives, led the nation in mourning. Other prominent figures and leaders of the National Assembly and Senate have released statements acknowledging Odinga’s enduring legacy as a democrat and a master strategist.

Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes, personal anecdotes, and images of Odinga, with Kenyans using the hashtag #RIPBaba to express their sorrow and recall his defining moments. Streets in major urban centres, particularly those considered his strongholds, have seen impromptu gatherings as supporters struggle to come to terms with the loss.

A Complex Legacy of Reform and Resilience

Raila Odinga’s career was defined by his resilience and his unwavering belief in challenging the status quo. He ran for the presidency five times, each bid a monumental effort that galvanized his base and exposed deep political divisions in the country. While he never attained the presidency, his campaigns were instrumental in forcing constitutional and electoral reforms that fundamentally changed how Kenya is governed.

He was also highly regarded across Africa, having served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development.

The immediate focus now shifts to the diplomatic and logistical arrangements for repatriating his body from India, a process expected to involve high-level coordination between the two governments. As the nation prepares for a state burial, Kenyans are uniting in grief for a leader whose political shadow touched every corner of the republic.