Veteran Kenyan Leader Raila Odinga Dies in India at 80
Kenya and the African continent are mourning the death of Raila Amolo Odinga, the veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister, who has died in India at the age of 80.
According to hospital and police sources in Kerala, Odinga collapsed during a morning walk and later succumbed to cardiac arrest despite resuscitation efforts.
Collapsed During Morning Walk
Indian police reported that the former Prime Minister was walking around 7:45 a.m. with his sister, daughter, and personal doctor when he began experiencing breathing difficulties before collapsing. He was immediately rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Kochi, where doctors made multiple attempts to revive him but were unsuccessful.
Hospital officials later confirmed his death, citing cardiac arrest as the cause. Odinga had been in Kochi, Kerala, receiving medical treatment in recent days at a nearby Ayurvedic and eye research centre.
Confirmation and Awaited Official Statement
The news of Odinga’s death has been confirmed by hospital sources and multiple international media organizations, including Indian and Kenyan outlets.
However, the Kenyan government is expected to release a formal statement soon, outlining details about the repatriation of his body and national mourning arrangements.
A Towering Figure in Kenyan Politics
Raila Odinga’s passing marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics. For more than four decades, he stood as a symbol of reform, democracy, and resilience, guiding the country through major political transitions.
Odinga served as Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013 under the Grand Coalition Government following the 2007 post-election crisis. He was also instrumental in the struggle for multiparty democracy, the push for constitutional reform, and the creation of the 2010 Constitution that reshaped Kenya’s governance.
Throughout his career, Odinga made five presidential bids, each time rallying millions with his enduring call for justice, inclusion, and accountability. His leadership left a profound mark on the nation’s democratic evolution.
Tributes Pour In
Across Kenya, emotional tributes continue to pour in. From Nairobi to Bondo, thousands of Kenyans have taken to the streets, waving flags and singing freedom songs in his honor. Leaders from across Africa and beyond have also sent their condolences, recognizing Odinga as one of Africa’s great statesmen.
“Baba’s legacy will live forever. He fought for democracy, not for himself, but for the people,” said one mourner in Bondo, his home region.
A Nation in Mourning
As Kenya awaits the official state response and burial arrangements, citizens reflect on the life of a man who devoted his years to the fight for equality and transparent leadership. His death leaves a void in the country’s political and moral landscape, and his vision for a united, democratic Kenya will remain an enduring inspiration.
Source: Citizen Digital
You must be logged in to post a comment.