Kenya is mourning the loss of Raila Odinga, a political titan whose influence shaped the nation’s democratic journey and reverberated across Africa. Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80, leaves behind a legacy marked by resilience, reform, and a lifelong struggle for multiparty democracy. His funeral, held in his rural home of Bondo, drew not only thousands of Kenyans but also dignitaries from across the continent—among them, Elizabeth Macheka Tsvangirai, widow of the late Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Their presence together at the ceremony was a poignant reminder of the enduring alliances forged in Africa’s fight for democracy.
Odinga’s passing marks the end of an era for Kenya. As reported by TIME, he was widely regarded as the most consequential political figure of his generation. He endured prison for his activism, played a pivotal role in replacing Kenya’s colonial-era constitution, and ran for president five times—winning the majority vote in all but two regions during the 2022 election. His broad appeal stretched well beyond his Luo ethnic base, making him a unifying figure in a country often riven by regional and ethnic divides.
Perhaps Odinga’s most significant legacy was his role in strengthening Kenya’s democracy. According to TIME, he was instrumental in enacting a constitution that imposed clearer limits on presidential power, a safeguard against the kind of authoritarianism that has plagued many African states. His leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a center-left party he founded in 2005, kept him at the heart of Kenyan politics for decades. He was not just a relic of the past—Odinga’s ability to command loyalty from one of the country’s largest and most diverse voting blocs, unify the opposition, and organize mass protests gave him ongoing leverage over the government.
In a move that surprised many, Odinga formed a coalition with President William Ruto, a partnership that helped steady Kenya during periods of political turbulence. Ruto, recognizing Odinga’s immense influence, declared a seven-day period of “mourning and deep reflection” in honor of “Odinga’s extraordinary contribution to our nation.” The alliance was not without controversy, however. Senior ODM members openly criticized Odinga’s cooperation with Ruto, especially as Ruto’s popularity waned, viewing it as a missed opportunity to challenge the president’s grip on power. Younger ODM activists, who had organized last year’s Gen Z protests—the largest anti-government demonstrations since the 1990s—went so far as to call Odinga’s alliance with Ruto an act of political betrayal, citing their opposition to government corruption, declining living standards, and police brutality.
Odinga’s death has thrown Kenya’s political future into uncertainty. As TIME notes, the ODM, which holds the second largest share of seats in parliament, chose Odinga’s 82-year-old brother as interim leader on October 16, 2025. But the party now faces an intense internal debate over strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election. No single figure appears capable of uniting its members or Odinga’s vast support base. The risk of fragmentation looms large, raising the specter of a divided opposition and a scramble by would-be presidential contenders to win over Odinga’s loyalists.
The tensions surrounding Odinga’s funeral underscored the volatility of the moment. Four people were killed in Nairobi during protests mourning Odinga, after security forces fired shots and teargas to disperse crowds. In a country where police violence remains a deeply contentious issue, President Ruto’s reliance on the ODM to maintain political stability may help avert broader unrest in the immediate term. Still, as the struggle to inherit Odinga’s mantle intensifies, Kenya’s longer-term outlook grows murkier.
Odinga’s impact was not confined to Kenya. His funeral became a stage for continental solidarity, most notably through the presence of Elizabeth Macheka Tsvangirai. According to The Zimbabwe Independent, she attended the funeral events in Bondo, Kenya, on October 18 and 19, 2025, standing alongside Odinga’s widow, Ida Odinga. Her presence symbolized the historic alliance between two of Africa’s most prominent opposition leaders—her late husband Morgan Tsvangirai and Raila Odinga—who were united by a shared vision of freeing their nations from authoritarian rule.
Tsvangirai and Odinga’s friendship began in the early 2000s, rooted in mutual admiration and the shared experience of leading popular movements against entrenched liberation-party regimes—ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe and the Kenya African National Union (KANU) in Kenya. Both men, former trade unionists, became icons of resistance against state repression, electoral manipulation, and political violence. Their journeys culminated in power-sharing governments: Odinga as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 following a post-election crisis, and Tsvangirai as Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister from 2009 to 2013 after a bloody electoral standoff.
Elizabeth Tsvangirai’s appearance at Odinga’s home in Bondo on October 18 was both graceful and deeply symbolic. She accompanied Ida Odinga during a press briefing at Opoda Farm, expressing heartfelt condolences and recalling the close bond between her late husband and Odinga. “Raila was not just a friend to Morgan, but a brother in the struggle for African democracy,” she said, as reported by The Zimbabwe Independent. At the burial the following day, her understated elegance—dressed in a black bodycon gown with matching heels and a fascinator—drew praise on social media in both Kenya and Zimbabwe. Her poise and dignity became one of the most talked-about aspects of the ceremony, reflecting not only personal grace but also the weight of historical memory.
Born in 1976, Elizabeth Macheka Tsvangirai is herself no stranger to public scrutiny. The daughter of a senior ZANU-PF politician, she married Morgan Tsvangirai in 2012 amid controversy over her father’s political affiliations and a disputed customary marriage. Despite public suspicion and the tragic loss of her husband to colon cancer in 2018, she has remained committed to honoring his legacy, making occasional public appearances to advocate for peace, unity, and democratic integrity. On social media, she offers glimpses of her personal life, balancing business ventures with family and leisure.
Her attendance at Odinga’s funeral was more than a gesture of condolence; it was a symbolic reunion of two intertwined democratic legacies. Both Odinga and Tsvangirai embodied Africa’s post-liberation democratic awakening—leaders who challenged one-party dominance and inspired millions to imagine freer societies. In mourning Odinga, Elizabeth Tsvangirai honored not only a friend but also a shared vision of a more just and democratic Africa.
As Kenya and the continent reflect on Odinga’s passing, the challenge ahead is clear: to preserve the spirit of reform and unity that he and his allies championed, even as the political landscape shifts beneath their feet.