Kenya’s former Prime Minister and veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has died at the age of 80.
Family sources confirmed that Odinga passed away on Wednesday while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in India.
According to Indian police, he was walking with his family and personal doctor when he suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
For weeks, there had been speculation about his health, though his family and political allies had repeatedly dismissed reports that he was critically ill. Following news of his death, tributes have poured in from across Africa, including a message of condolence from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
A towering figure in Kenyan politics, Odinga was known for his fiery spirit and unshakable belief in democracy.
He contested the presidency five times but never won, often alleging that the polls were rigged against him. In 2017, Kenya’s Supreme Court agreed with his claims of electoral irregularities and annulled the election.
The 2007 disputed election, where he claimed victory was stolen by then-President Mwai Kibaki, sparked widespread violence that left 1,200 people dead and displaced over half a million.
