Kenya’s veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has passed away at the age of 80 after suffering a heart attack in southern India.
Odinga reportedly collapsed during a morning walk while receiving medical care at Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, where doctors later confirmed his death.
A towering figure in Kenyan politics, Odinga was a central player for decades, having contested the presidency five times between 1997 and 2022. His death leaves a major void within Kenya’s opposition, just two years ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within Odinga’s office also confirmed the news to several international media outlets.
Following the announcement, President William Ruto visited the Odinga family residence in Nairobi’s Karen suburb to offer his condolences.
Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters gathered outside the home — some in tears, others waving green twigs as a traditional sign to ward off misfortune — to mourn the loss of one of Kenya’s most influential political figures, according to Reuters.
