Kenya has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, who passed away at the age of 80 while in India.
According to multiple international news reports monitored by Dalena Reporters, including Reuters and Associated Press, Odinga died early Wednesday morning after suffering a heart attack during a medical trip in the Indian state of Kerala. He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A senior aide from his Capitol Hill office in Nairobi confirmed the tragedy.
“Yes, it is true Baba is no more. A statement will be released soon,” the source told journalists under anonymity.
Raila Odinga, fondly called “Baba” by his supporters, was one of Africa’s most influential political figures. He served as Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013 under a unity government formed after the country’s disputed 2007 election.
Born on January 7, 1945, Odinga was the son of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. He dominated Kenyan politics for decades, contesting the presidency five times but never officially declared winner, despite widespread belief he had been rigged out on several occasions.
His last presidential contest was in 2022, where he lost to current President William Ruto.
Reactions have begun to pour in from across the continent. Political observers have described his death as “the end of an era in African democracy.” Raila Odinga was known for his resilience, long struggle for multi-party politics in the 1980s and 1990s, and years of political detention under former President Daniel arap Moi’s regime.
African Union and East African Community leaders are expected to issue official condolences in the coming hours. In Nairobi, security agencies have reportedly been placed on alert to manage possible large crowds and political reactions from his stronghold in Kisumu and other parts of the Nyanza region.
As at the time of filing this report, Odinga’s family has not released an official statement. It is unclear when his remains will be transported back to Kenya.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the political party he founded.