The late Raila Omoro Odinga
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Raila Omoro Odinga’s name will forever be engrained in Kenya’s political history.
The former Kenyan PM collapsed during a morning walk in southern India, where he was receiving medical treatment.
According to a close family associate, he suffered a heart attack and passed on Wednesday at the Devamatha Hospital in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Reports attributed his death to a cardiac arrest, adding that he did not respond to resuscitation measures and was therefore declared dead at 09:52 local time (04:22 GMT).
His supporters called him “Baba” (Father), “Agwambo” (Act of God), and “Tinga” (Tractor) – drawn from his party’s symbol during the 1997 elections.
He was widely regarded as a master strategist and mass mobiliser, often drawing huge crowds to his political rallies. He also had a deep ability to connect with ordinary people. He will fondly be remembered for his unwavering fight for democratic freedoms and human rights.
Prisoner of conscience
Odinga was cherished for his peaceful beliefs and actions. These included his nonviolent expression of his political, and other conscientiously held beliefs.
He was a former political prisoner, and holds the record for being Kenya’s longest-serving detainee. His struggle against one-party dictatorship saw him detained twice (from 1982 to 1988 and 1989 to 1991) during the rule of Daniel Arap Moi.
This long period of detention makes him the longest serving political prisoner in the history of Kenya.
Odinga was not only a Kenyan opposition leader, but had through the years emerged as a key figure in African politics.
The former prime minister was also tirelessly political, having waged five unsuccessful presidential campaigns between 1997 and 2022.
According to local political pundits, Odinga was a dominant force in Kenyan politics, and had become a kingmaker of sorts.
“His death will leave a significant leadership vacuum within the country’s political opposition ahead of elections in 2027,” said a serving MP, on condition of anonymity.
President Ruto thankful
Kenya President William Ruto, who termed the late Odinga as his frind and brother visited the Odinga family home in Nairobi’s wealthy Karen suburb.
President William Ruto paid tribute to Odinga as a “beacon of courage” and “father of our democracy”.
“Raila Amolo Odinga is truly a once-in-a-generation leader. A man whose ideals transcended politics, and whose legacy will shape the destiny of Kenya for generations to come,” Ruto said in a live address to the nation.
A seven-day period of mourning has also been declared. Odinga will be also be accorded a state funeral with full military honours, Ruto said.
The Devamatha Hospital where Raila Odinga breathed his last
Hundreds of the late politician’s supporters, many of them crying and waving twigs to ward off bad omens, also made their way to the home to pay their respects. Hundreds have also been pouring onto the streets to mourn, especially in his political strongholds of western Kenya and parts of Nairobi.
Tributes pour in
Kenyan politicians and world leaders have been sending their condolences, condoling with family and friends. These included the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described Odinga as a towering statesman and a cherished friend of India.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa also sent in his condolences, referring to Odinga to a political personality who placed the interests of his country and continent first.
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema described Odinga as a towering advocate for democracy, whose legacy would endure.
On Wednesday, Kenya’s parliament observed a minute’s silence in his honour and scheduled a session on Thursday for lawmakers to pay tribute.
A delegation led by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Odinga’s widow is expected to travel to India to oversee the arrangements to repatriate his body. A close associate said that Odinga’s body will be repatriated back to Kenya on Friday.
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