Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga Dies at 80

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga Dies at 80

NAIROBI, Oct 15 — Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has passed away at the age of 80, a source from his office confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday, though no further details were provided.

According to Indian newspaper Mathrubhumi, Odinga was receiving medical treatment in the southern Indian city of Kochi when he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan politics and one of Africa’s most recognized opposition leaders, unsuccessfully contested the presidency five times. Two of those elections sparked periods of intense unrest and political turmoil.

A long-time advocate for democracy, Odinga played a pivotal role in ushering in multiparty democracy in 1991 and the adoption of a new constitution in 2010 — both landmark reforms in Kenya’s history.

He also led nationwide protests following the disputed 2007 election, which triggered Kenya’s worst episode of political violence since independence. The unrest left around 1,300 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Odinga’s legacy as a reformist, opposition leader, and champion of transparency and national unity remains deeply etched in Kenya’s political history.