Kenyan veteran politician Raila Amolo Odinga, popularly known as “Baba,” has died while undergoing treatment in India.
The former Prime Minister passed away at Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, Kochi, where he had been admitted following a reported cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Odinga, who was 80 years old, had travelled to India for specialized medical care. Sources at the hospital confirmed that he was rushed to the facility in critical condition before being declared dead shortly after arrival.
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His death has sent shockwaves across Kenya and beyond, with tributes already pouring in from political leaders, supporters, and international observers.
Raila Odinga was one of the most influential figures in Kenya’s post-independence politics. He served as the country’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, during the Grand Coalition Government that followed the disputed 2007 general election.
A key advocate for democracy and social justice, Odinga was known for his resilience and his unrelenting fight for electoral reforms, governance accountability, and national unity.
Throughout his career, he vied for the presidency five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — and remained a dominant voice in shaping Kenya’s political direction.
His leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) positioned him as the face of opposition politics for over two decades.
Beyond his political pursuits, Odinga was admired by many for his ability to mobilize grassroots movements and articulate the frustrations and hopes of ordinary citizens.
His famous 2018 “handshake” with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta was seen as a unifying gesture that helped calm the nation after a tense electoral period.
News of his death spread quickly on social media, with leaders from across Africa and the diaspora expressing condolences and reflecting on his decades-long contribution to the struggle for democracy.
The Kenyan government is expected to issue an official statement, as the country begins to come to terms with the passing of one of its most enduring political icons.
Raila Odinga’s death marks the end of an era — a lifetime defined by courage, opposition, and unwavering belief in a better Kenya. He leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.