Kenya is mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a central figure in the nation’s political history who sought the presidency five times over three decades. Odinga died on Wednesday in India following a heart attack, closing a significant chapter in Kenyan politics.
President William Ruto led the nation in paying tribute, describing Odinga as “a giant of democracy” and announcing a seven-day period of national mourning, during which flags will fly at half-mast.
“We have lost a beacon of courage, a tower of principle, and a father of our democracy,” Ruto said. “Let us unite, as he always encouraged us, not as rivals, but as brothers and sisters bound by a shared destiny.”
Although Odinga never secured the presidency, he earned widespread respect for his contributions to Kenya’s multiparty democracy. His political career included decades of activism, leadership of the opposition, and a term as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 under a power-sharing agreement that followed a disputed election.
Ruto highlighted Odinga’s dedication to national unity and democratic ideals, noting, “In a political career spanning decades, Raila Amolo Odinga embodied principled politics. At crucial moments in our nation’s history, he prioritized Kenya over personal ambition. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Odinga’s death comes just months after he forged a historic political alliance with Ruto, integrating his party into government in a rare demonstration of national unity.
