Kenya Mourns Raila Odinga, “Father of Democracy,” Dead at 80

Kenya and the wider African continent are mourning the death of Raila Amolo Odinga, the country’s veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister, who passed away at the age of 80 while receiving medical treatment in India, according to BBC News (15 Oct 2025).

A Towering Figure in Kenyan Politics

Odinga, widely regarded as the “father of Kenya’s democracy,” collapsed during a morning walk and was declared dead after suffering a cardiac arrest at a hospital in India. President William Ruto paid tribute, describing him as “a beacon of courage and a father of our democracy.”

Ruto also announced a seven-day national mourning period and a state funeral with full honours.

Tributes From Across Africa

• World leaders and African heads of state sent condolences.

• South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa called Odinga “a leader who placed Africa’s interests first.”

• Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema praised him as “a towering advocate for democracy.”

• India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as “a cherished friend of India.”

Odinga’s widow, Ida Odinga, will lead a delegation to India to repatriate his body, accompanied by Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

Decades of Political Struggle

A central figure in Kenya’s pro-democracy movement, Odinga ran for president five times, rejecting results he said were marred by fraud.

He played a key role in ending the post-election violence of 2007, which left more than 1,200 people dead and 600,000 displaced, by forming a unity government brokered by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

In 2018, he made peace with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta in a historic “handshake” that ended months of tension. Despite fierce political rivalries, he remained a symbol of reform, reconciliation, and resistance.

Legacy of Freedom and Sacrifice

A former political prisoner, Odinga spent nearly a decade in detention under the dictatorship of Daniel arap Moi. His struggle for multiparty democracy earned him admiration across Africa.

His supporters called him “Baba” (“Father”) — a reflection of his deep connection with ordinary citizens.

A Continental Voice for Democracy

Even in his later years, Odinga continued to advocate for good governance across Africa. He was a candidate for African Union Commission Chair in early 2025, representing a vision of African unity and self-determination.

For many, Raila Odinga’s death marks the passing of a generation of liberation-era leaders who fought for democracy, justice, and freedom, a legacy that will continue to inspire Africa’s youth.