Kenya is mourning the death of Raila Odinga, the long‑time opposition leader and former Prime Minister, who passed away earlier today in Nairobi.
Raila Odinga, one of Kenya’s most influential and enduring political figures, has died at the age of 80. Family sources confirmed that Odinga passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning at his home, surrounded by close relatives. The cause of death has not yet been officially disclosed.
Odinga, a central figure in Kenyan politics for more than four decades, was known for his tireless push for democratic reform, social justice, and national unity. As the son of Kenya’s first Vice‑President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila inherited a legacy of activism that shaped his political journey through periods of intense struggle and triumph.
He served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 under a coalition government formed after the disputed 2007 presidential election. Over the years, he ran for the presidency multiple times, remaining a symbol of opposition and hope for reformists across Kenya.
President William Ruto (or the current Kenyan leadership) is expected to issue an official statement later today. Tributes have begun pouring in from across the political spectrum, with many describing Odinga as a statesman who dedicated his life to advancing Kenya’s democratic ideals.
