News of Raila Odinga’s death swept across Kenya and the world on October 15, 2025, triggering a wave of grief, reflection, and uncertainty for the future of East African politics. The 80-year-old opposition leader, known to many as "Baba" and "Agwambo" (the mysterious one), died during a medical trip to Kerala, India, succumbing to a heart attack after collapsing on a morning walk. The loss of such a towering figure—once Kenya’s prime minister, five-time presidential candidate, and tireless pro-democracy campaigner—marks the end of an era and leaves a daunting leadership vacuum as the nation looks ahead to its 2027 elections.
According to the Associated Press and the BBC, Odinga was accompanied by his sister, daughter, personal doctor, and security officers when he collapsed during a walk near the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre. He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital, about 50 kilometers east of Kochi, where medical staff attempted resuscitation but ultimately declared him dead at 09:52 local time. Indian and Kenyan officials confirmed the details, and within hours, Kenyan President William Ruto visited Odinga’s family home in Nairobi’s Karen suburb to pay his respects. Supporters gathered by the hundreds, many weeping and waving twigs to ward off bad omens, as reported by Reuters.
Odinga’s life was one of political struggle, resilience, and transformation. Born in 1945 to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga—Kenya’s first vice president after independence—he was destined for the political stage. Odinga’s early activism saw him imprisoned twice (from 1982 to 1988 and again from 1989 to 1991) during the repressive regime of President Daniel arap Moi. His involvement in the failed 1982 coup attempt propelled him to national prominence, and his subsequent years in jail or exile only strengthened his resolve. As Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi described, Odinga became a “revolutionary in the eyes of many,” a left-wing firebrand who named his son Fidel after the Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Odinga entered parliament in 1992 as Kenya transitioned to multiparty democracy—a cause he championed and for which he paid dearly. Over the decades, he ran for president five times (1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022), claiming to have been cheated in the last four elections. His supporters remained fiercely loyal, calling him “Baba” and “Tinga” (Tractor), a testament to his ability to mobilize crowds and connect with ordinary Kenyans. His mass appeal was especially strong in western Kenya and the informal settlements of Nairobi, where, according to AFP, mourners blocked roads and expressed raw grief upon hearing of his death.
The aftermath of the 2007 disputed election, in which Odinga alleged fraud against incumbent Mwai Kibaki, plunged Kenya into its worst political violence since independence. Ethnic clashes left about 1,200 people dead and 600,000 displaced. The crisis was resolved through international mediation led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, resulting in a power-sharing agreement that saw Odinga become prime minister. His later challenge to the 2017 election results was vindicated when Kenya’s Supreme Court annulled the vote, a rare event in African politics, though Odinga boycotted the rerun, citing lack of electoral reforms.
Despite his reputation as a relentless opposition leader, Odinga was also known for his willingness to reconcile with rivals for the sake of national unity. In 2018, he stunned the nation by shaking hands with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, ending months of political tension. After his fifth and final presidential defeat in 2022, Odinga joined President Ruto in a broad-based government, bringing several of his allies into key positions—a move he defended as necessary for unity after deadly protests rocked the country. According to BBC, this alliance was not universally popular among his supporters but underscored Odinga’s pragmatism and commitment to stability.
Odinga’s legacy extends far beyond electoral contests. He was instrumental in two of Kenya’s most significant political reforms: the establishment of multiparty democracy in 1991 and the adoption of a new constitution in 2010. His advocacy for democratic freedoms and human rights inspired generations of activists and leaders across Africa. As African Union Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf put it, Odinga was “a steadfast champion of democracy, good governance, and people-centered development,” and his decades-long commitment “left an indelible mark not only on Kenya, but across the African continent.”
Tributes poured in from around the world. President Ruto, in a live address, called Odinga “a beacon of courage” and “father of our democracy,” declaring a seven-day period of mourning and announcing a state funeral with full military honors. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta praised Odinga as “a father to the nation, a steadfast champion for the people, and a true son of Kenya,” adding, “His legacy is not just in the political battles he fought, but in the peace he helped build.” Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan mourned the loss as a tragedy “not just for Kenya, but for all of us.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Odinga as “a towering statesman and a cherished friend of India,” while South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu highlighted his pan-African vision and enduring advocacy for democracy.
Plans for Odinga’s final journey were set in motion immediately. According to local officials cited by BBC, his body was to be flown from Kochi to Mumbai and then to Kenya, arriving on October 16. The state funeral was scheduled for October 17 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, followed by a public viewing and his burial on October 19 at his farm in Bondo, near Kisumu—his political heartland. Family members shared that it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest within 72 hours. Lawmakers in Kenya’s parliament observed a minute of silence and prepared tributes, while a government delegation traveled to India to oversee the repatriation.
Odinga’s death leaves Kenya’s political opposition at a crossroads. As political analyst Barrack Muluka told AFP, “The country loses one of its most influential political players. A great man who did great things… He had a broad national appeal. None of this can be said of anyone else.” With the 2027 elections on the horizon and no clear successor, the question of who will carry forward Odinga’s legacy of resistance, reform, and reconciliation looms large over Kenya’s political landscape.
For many Kenyans, Raila Odinga’s memory will endure in the freedoms he helped secure, the reforms he championed, and the hope he inspired. The outpouring of emotion, both at home and abroad, speaks to a life lived in service to country and continent—a life that shaped the destiny of Kenya and set a standard for future leaders to follow.