The death of Kenya’s former Prime Minister and revered pro-democracy leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, has sent shockwaves through Kenya and its global diaspora, sparking an outpouring of grief and remembrance. Odinga, affectionately known as “Baba” (Father) in his homeland, died at the age of 80 in Kerala, India, where he was undergoing medical treatment. According to a statement from the hospital, he collapsed and died during his morning walk, with the cause of death given as cardiac arrest.
Odinga’s passing marks the end of an era for Kenya—a nation he helped steer toward multi-party democracy after years of authoritarian rule. As reported by Mshale, Odinga will be best remembered for leading the protests that ended one-party rule in Kenya, culminating in the first multiparty elections in 1992. His activism came at great personal cost; he spent six years in detention without trial under the repressive regime of President Daniel Arap Moi. Yet, Odinga’s resilience and unwavering dedication to human rights made him a towering figure in Kenyan politics for decades.
His influence extended far beyond Kenya’s borders, particularly to the Kenyan diaspora in the United States. Minnesota, home to one of the largest Kenyan communities in the U.S., became a second home for Odinga. He visited Minnesota numerous times, both as an opposition leader and later as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, with his last visit occurring in October 2013. The news of his death prompted deep mourning among Kenyans in Minnesota and across the U.S., many of whom regarded him not just as a political leader but as a symbol of hope and integrity.
Roselidah Nyaberi, president of the Mwanyagetinge Association of Kenyans in Minnesota, expressed the collective grief of the community in a statement to Mshale: “As Kenyans in the diaspora, we will miss him for his visionary leadership, courage and resilience in the face of adversity and unwavering dedication to human rights. Let us honor his legacy by following his example and respect others regardless of their opinion.”
For many, Odinga’s legacy was deeply personal. Dr. John Makori, who chaired the Minnesota chapter of Azimio la Umoja—the coalition under which Odinga ran for president in 2022—recalled that in every encounter, Odinga emphasized integrity, once advising, “Be satisfied with the little that God has bestowed upon you, so as not to compromise your integrity.”
Dr. Siyad Abdullahi, a Minneapolis-based Kenyan American entrepreneur, described Odinga as “a statesman and fighter that gave it his all.” Abdullahi shared a poignant memory: “Last year, Raila was giving a talk at Oxford University and found out my daughter Yasmin is doing her masters there. He made time to meet with her and called me right after with very gracious words about how smart and well prepared she was.” Such gestures, Abdullahi said, showed a leader who cared deeply about relationships and the marginalized—women, minorities, people with disabilities, and those living in poverty.
Robert Nyagudi, who coordinated many of Odinga’s U.S. visits, was still reeling from the news when reached by Mshale. He recounted the frantic moments trying to confirm the reports, finally receiving the words from Odinga’s sister Ruth: “Yes your friend has left us.” Nyagudi reflected, “The passing of Jakom is painful and a really dark cloud hangs over my heart and although he was old enough to be my father, he was simply a friend. In my many interactions with him we talked about personal, family and business matters and conversations about politics were almost secondary and this humanized him for me.”
Back in Kenya, the mourning was equally profound and marked by dramatic scenes. According to Reuters, thousands of mourners attended Odinga’s state funeral on Friday, October 17, 2025, in Nairobi under heavy security. The previous day, crowds had stormed the main airport when Odinga’s body arrived, and later breached a gate at the Nairobi stadium where a public viewing was held. Security forces responded with gunfire and tear gas, resulting in at least three deaths reported by police and four by local media, with scores injured.
Odinga’s body lay in state at the Kenyan Parliament—a rare honor reserved for presidents and former presidents—before being taken to Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium. President William Ruto, heads of parliament, the judiciary, and African dignitaries including Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the funeral. The stadium was filled with mourners waving white handkerchiefs, blowing whistles and vuvuzelas, and holding portraits of Odinga. Some carried twigs, a traditional Kenyan symbol of peace and unity.
President Ruto led mourners in singing Odinga’s favorite song, Harry Belafonte’s “Jamaica Farewell,” and praised Odinga’s pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s history. “Whenever the nation needed him to rise above (the) self, he always did so unreservedly,” Ruto said, according to the Associated Press. Ruto and Odinga, once fierce rivals, had reached a political pact earlier in the year after months of anti-government protests—a testament to Odinga’s capacity for reconciliation and nation-building.
Odinga’s family, including his wife Ida, daughters Winnie and Rosemary, and son Raila Odinga Junior, were present at the funeral. Ida urged Kenyans to mourn peacefully and emphasized her husband’s hatred for dishonesty and greed. Winnie, who was with Odinga in India, led the crowd in chants and shared that her father died “strong, with dignity and pride,” after pushing his morning walk from two to five rounds around the hospital. Junior, donning his father’s beaded hat and fly whisk, pledged to care for the family as the sole surviving son.
Political analyst Herman Manyora told the Associated Press that the overwhelming love shown by mourners was a reflection of Odinga’s sacrifices for democracy: “You can’t point at a man more willing to sacrifice everything just for the sake of his people.”
Odinga’s wish was to be buried quickly, ideally within 72 hours of his death—a rare request for such a popular leader in Kenya. After the state funeral, his body was to be viewed once more in Kisumu, near his rural home in Bondo, before burial on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
In Minnesota, what was to be a political event featuring Kenyan politician George Wajackoyah on October 18 was transformed into a celebration of Odinga’s life. The event, held at the Church of the Nazarene in Brooklyn Center, brought together the diaspora to honor the man many considered the father of Kenyan democracy.
Raila Odinga’s death has left a void in Kenyan public life, but his legacy—as a champion of democracy, a unifier, and a tireless advocate for the marginalized—will endure, inspiring generations at home and abroad.