Kenya has entered a week of national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, one of the most influential figures in the country’s political history.
Odinga passed away in India on Wednesday at the age of 80, marking the end of a remarkable era in Kenyan public life.
President William Ruto announced the seven-day mourning period and delivered an emotional tribute to the veteran politician, describing him as “a man whose will, leadership and vision shaped our country.”
Odinga, the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga — a central figure in Kenya’s fight for independence and the nation’s first vice president — leaves behind a political legacy spanning more than four decades.
In his national address, President Ruto reflected on Odinga’s lifelong dedication to democratic reform. “With unwavering faith in the values of our nation and the character of our people, the Honorable Raila Odinga led the fight for democracy and paved the way for our new constitutional order,” he said.
He went on to describe Odinga as “a peacemaker who always put the interests of the country first,” praising his “optimism, strength and humility” as qualities that embodied “the Kenyan spirit.”
A tireless campaigner, Odinga contested five presidential elections without success but remained a defining voice in shaping Kenya’s modern political landscape. “He firmly believed that our best days were yet to come… He followed a path guided by conviction,” President Ruto noted, recalling Odinga’s determination through years of struggle.
“He bore the scars of struggle with dignity, aware that freedom comes at a price and truth often requires sacrifice,” Ruto added, calling Odinga’s life “a testament to the enduring power of a vision based on democracy, justice and unity.”
Concluding his tribute, President Ruto hailed the late leader as “a patriot, a pan-Africanist, a global statesman and a progressive reformer,” adding that his legacy would continue to inspire “future generations in Kenya, Africa and beyond.”
World leaders have joined Kenyans in mourning Odinga’s passing. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as “a true statesman whose sincere friendship with India will remain forever etched in our memories.”
Raila Odinga’s death marks the close of a political chapter defined by courage, conviction, and a steadfast pursuit of democracy that reshaped Kenya’s destiny.
About The Author
