Africa mourns Raila Odinga: The passing of a “Pan-African Icon”

The African continent is united in mourning following the death of Raila Amolo Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister and one of Africa’s most influential political figures. Odinga passed away earlier today at Hospital India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.

President William Ruto described Odinga as “a quintessential progressive and reformer,” adding that “he fought for the ideals of human rights, democracy, the rule of law and inclusivity and economic opportunity for all.”

In a proclamation from State House, President Ruto announced a period of national mourning until Odinga’s interment and directed that he be accorded a state funeral with full military honours. Flags will fly at half-mast across Kenya and at all diplomatic missions, while senior government officials have been instructed not to display the national flag on their official vehicles during the mourning period.

Messages of condolence have poured in from across Africa.

In Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described Odinga as “a towering statesman whose legacy of democracy, justice, and public service will endure.”

From Djibouti, President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh mourned “the loss of a visionary leader,” while Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan called Odinga “a peace lover and seeker of reconciliation whose influence extended beyond Kenya to the entire continent.”

Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among said Odinga’s leadership “inspired the entire African continent and set a precedent for dialogue and unity.”

The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, described Odinga as “one of Africa’s most iconic sons” who “dedicated his life to democracy, justice, and unity.”

From South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences, calling Odinga “a patriotic and selfless leader” and noting his role as “a friend and brother who remained true to his principles despite great personal sacrifice.”

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said Odinga’s death marked “an immense loss for the African family,” adding that he was “a steadfast champion of democracy and good governance who worked tirelessly to advance continental integration through the AU’s infrastructure agenda.”

Raila Odinga’s name is closely tied to Kenya’s political evolution. The son of the country’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, he emerged in the 1980s as a key opposition figure during the struggle for multi-party democracy.

Detained for almost a decade under President Daniel Arap Moi, Odinga became a central voice in Kenya’s pro-democracy movement. His ability to mobilize support across ethnic and political lines made him one of the most recognizable figures in East African politics.

He served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 under a power-sharing agreement that ended one of Kenya’s most turbulent political crises. A skilled negotiator and orator, Odinga ran for the presidency five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — each time playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s political landscape.

Despite never securing the presidency, Odinga’s influence remained substantial. He was often described as a kingmaker and power broker, forging alliances and rivalries that defined Kenya’s political direction.

Political analysts and scholars have highlighted Odinga’s enduring impact on Kenya’s democracy.

Professor Ken Opalo, Associate Professor at Georgetown University, noted that Odinga “shaped the Moi succession as well as the presidencies of Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and William Ruto,” describing him as a leader who “operated comfortably both inside and outside the establishment.” According to Opalo, “When the passions settle and both sides of the ledger are tallied, history will judge Raila Odinga’s contributions to Kenya positively.”

To his supporters, Odinga was affectionately known as “Baba” — a reference to his role as a father figure in Kenya’s democratic journey. To others, he was a tenacious opposition leader whose persistence kept Kenya’s institutions accountable.

For more than three decades, Raila Odinga has been one of the defining political figures in Kenya, making him not only a household name at home but also a prominent African political heavyweight.