The passing of Raila Odinga, Kenya’s veteran politician, marks the end of an era defined by his relentless fight for multi-party democracy and his unique ability to reconcile with foes, shaping the country’s political future.
The political landscape of Kenya, and indeed Africa, mourns the loss of Raila Odinga, a towering figure who passed away at the age of 80. Odinga, a former Prime Minister and perennial presidential candidate, died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
His death, confirmed by family sources to Reuters, followed a cardiac arrest suffered while he was on a morning walk. Devamatha Hospital in Kochi, India, stated he was declared dead shortly before 10:00 local time (04:22 GMT). The news came despite recent attempts by his family and political allies to dispel rumors about his health.
A Life Defined by Struggle and Reform
For decades, Raila Odinga was at the epicenter of Kenyan politics, a consistent advocate for democratic reforms and human rights. His career was marked by extraordinary longevity and intense political drama, beginning in the shadow of his father, Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice-president under independence leader Jomo Kenyatta. This familial legacy of political rivalry continued with their sons.
Odinga spent his early years as a left-wing firebrand, even naming his son Fidel in honor of Cuban Communist leader Fidel Castro. His activism against the one-party rule of President Daniel arap Moi led to severe consequences.
He holds the somber record for being Kenya’s longest-serving detainee, imprisoned twice between 1982 and 1991 for his opposition. He served a total of nine years in jail, including six in solitary confinement, after being linked to a failed coup attempt in 1982. During this period, he famously reflected, “Detention is a good school. You learn to reflect and think. You also learn tolerance, to be forgiving, particularly against your adversaries,” a quote he shared with Reuters in 2007.
The Quest for the Presidency and Contentious Elections
Despite his profound influence, Raila Odinga’s lifelong ambition to become Kenya’s president remained unfulfilled. He ran for the presidency five times—in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022—unsuccessfully challenging results on each occasion.
The most turbulent period in his presidential bids came after the disputed 2007 election, which he claimed was rigged. This sparked Kenya’s worst crisis since independence, leading to the deaths of an estimated 1,200 to 1,300 people and widespread displacement as violence erupted along ethnic lines, primarily between the Luo and Kikuyu communities. The crisis was eventually resolved through a power-sharing deal brokered by Kofi Annan, which saw Odinga serve as Prime Minister.
In 2017, he was vindicated when Kenya’s highest court annulled the presidential election result and ordered a fresh vote, a rare victory for electoral justice in Africa.
The Master of Reconciliation: ‘Agwambo’ and ‘Baba’
Raila Odinga’s political career was also defined by his remarkable capacity for reconciliation, earning him the nickname “Agwambo” (mysterious one) in the Luo language. He repeatedly struck alliances with former foes, a pragmatic approach he once described by saying, “Democratisation is not like an instant coffee you brew and drink at the same time. It is a process.”
Notable instances of these unity deals include:
- Forming a coalition government with President Daniel arap Moi in 2001, after losing his first presidential bid to him in 1997.
- Becoming Prime Minister in 2008 in a national unity government with his former rival, President Mwai Kibaki.
- Reconciling with President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 in what was famously dubbed the “Handshake” after a contentious 2017 election.
- Most recently, joining President William Ruto in a broad-based government pact in 2024, after challenging Ruto’s 2022 election victory, effectively leaving Kenya without an official opposition.
His supporters affectionately called him “Baba” (father in Swahili), demonstrating the lifelong loyalty he inspired, particularly among his fellow Luos in western Kenya and residents of Nairobi’s Kibera slum.
Legacy and the Vacuum He Leaves Behind
Raila Odinga’s legacy as a democracy activist is profound. He was instrumental in sealing two of Kenya’s most significant reforms: the return to multiparty democracy in 1991 and the adoption of a new constitution in 2010. His activism extended to advocating for civil disobedience, stating in 2017 that if a regime lacks legitimacy, “the people are justified to resist that regime,” a stance reported by The Associated Press.
Earlier this year, Odinga made a bid for the chairpersonship of the African Union Commission, backed by the Ruto administration, though he ultimately lost the election to Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. Youssouf later hailed Odinga as “a steadfast champion of democracy,” echoing sentiments from across the continent.
The news of his death sparked immediate grief and unrest in Kenya. President William Ruto led tributes, honoring Odinga as a “beacon of courage” and a “father of our democracy,” and declared a seven-day period of national mourning. President Ruto also visited the Odinga family home in Nairobi’s Karen suburb. In Odinga’s political strongholds like the Nairobi slum of Kibera and Kisumu in western Kenya, hundreds of supporters poured onto the streets, many crying and waving twigs to ward off bad omens, making their way in solemn processions.
Condolences poured in from around the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a “towering statesman.” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed him as a “patriot and democrat,” while Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan described his death as a tragedy “not just for Kenya, but for all of us.” Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh called him “a visionary leader.”
His passing leaves a significant vacuum in Kenyan politics. Revered as a master strategist and mass mobilizer with an unparalleled ability to connect with ordinary citizens, Raila Odinga profoundly shaped Kenya’s path toward democracy. His complex legacy of struggle, reform, and reconciliation will continue to be debated and analyzed, ensuring that the “Baba” remains an indelible part of the nation’s history.
