By The Weekly Vision Team
Veteran politician Raila Odinga, who dominated Kenya’s political stage for over three decades, has passed away. According to sources, Raila, who had been receiving treatment in India for over two weeks, died of cardiac arrest during a morning walk. He was accompanied by one of his daughters and some associates.
Building on these initial reports, Reuters news agency reports that a source from his office has confirmed his demise, although they did not provide further details. Earlier, Indian newspaper Mathrubhumi reported that Odinga, who was undergoing treatment in the southern Indian city of Kochi, suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Amid these reports, there have been conflicting accounts about the 80-year-old ODM leader’s health status, with opposition politicians accused of seeking to make political capital out of it.
Further adding to the confusion, his wife, Ida, stated that he was well and had merely taken a break from politics, while his elder brother, Oburu Oginga, confirmed he was undergoing treatment in India.
Though he lost five times in his bid to become president, Raila somehow managed, through cooperation, grand coalitions, handshakes, and, more recently, a deal with President William Ruto, to form a broad-based government.
His death is set to reshape the political landscape, both in his Luo Nyanza backyard and nationally, in unimaginable ways ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Raila is credited with playing a critical role in the push for the return of multiparty democracy and the promulgation of a progressive constitution in 2010.
Even before the family could formally confirm his death, social media had already been inundated with condolence messages from a cross-section of Kenyans.
Hon Raila Odinga was the most consequential politician in Kenya in the past three decades. He will be missed at many levels. On the political scene, he left few enemies, some allies, and many orphans. To Mama Ida and the kids… poleni. A political giant has rested,” Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi posted on X.
“Raila Odinga was like a father to many, hence the name Baba. He may be dead, but history will always remember him and carry his name with honour. Rest in peace Baba, Jakom!” wrote user @kafangi.
