Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, passes away at 80

Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya, passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80. His death occurred at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Koothattukulam, located in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, following a cardiac arrest during his morning walk on the hospital grounds, The Hindu reported. According to hospital officials, he had been receiving treatment there for five days.

Regional leaders, including the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, expressed their condolences. On X, Abiy Ahmed posted: “On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I extend my sincere condolences on the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. May he rest in peace.”

Raila Amolo Odinga was born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Kisumu County, into a prominent political family. His father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was Kenya’s first Vice President, exposing Raila to politics from an early age.

Raila’s political activism led to his imprisonment in 1982, when he was accused of participating in a failed coup against President Daniel arap Moi. He was elected as Member of Parliament for Lang’ata constituency in 1992 under FORD-Kenya, marking the start of his electoral career. By 1997, he had launched a presidential bid through the National Development Party, finishing third behind Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki, while solidifying his position as a leading opposition figure.

Throughout the early 2000s, Raila navigated complex political alliances. He initially joined KANU’s government as Energy Minister but, in 2002, aligned with the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which ended KANU’s long-standing rule. Serving briefly as Minister for Roads, Public Works, and Housing, he later led opposition efforts against a controversial constitutional draft in 2005. His leadership during this period laid the foundation for the creation of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), through which he would spearhead future electoral campaigns and reforms.

Raila’s presidential bids were often contentious. In 2007, after disputing the official results against Mwai Kibaki, Kenya experienced widespread post-election violence, ultimately resolved by a power-sharing agreement that made Raila Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in advancing constitutional reforms, culminating in the 2010 Constitution, which introduced devolution and strengthened democratic institutions. Subsequent presidential contests in 2013, 2017, and 2022 against Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto saw narrow defeats, court challenges, and political boycotts, yet cemented his status as influential opposition leader.

Beyond elections, Raila was a key figure in shaping Kenya’s political landscape, including constitutional reforms and coalition politics. His decades-long career made him one of Kenya’s leading political figures in the post-colonial era.