Kenya's veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, who was imprisoned multiple times while fighting one-party autocracy and ran five times unsuccessfully for president, died aged 80 on Wednesday in India.
Odinga had been receiving medical treatment abroad and suffered a cardiac arrest, according to the hospital in the city of Kochi where he died.
He was for decades at the heart of Kenyan politics, striking alliances with former foes, serving as prime minister for a term, and inspiring lifelong loyalty from his base, particularly among fellow Luos in the west and in the capital Nairobi.
Odinga's ability to work with rivals earned him the nickname "Agwambo" ("mysterious one") in the Luo language.
Supporters called him "Baba" ("father" in Swahili), refusing to turn their back even when he was accused of exploiting ethnic divisions for political gain or of striking deals with opponents for the sake of personal power.
Upon news of his passing, hundreds of supporters from the Nairobi slum of Kibera, many crying and waving twigs to ward off bad omens, made their way in a procession to Odinga's family home in the capital's upscale Karen suburb.
Crowds also gathered in the lakeside town of Kisumu and the Rift Valley town of Eldoret where Odinga was popular.
His legacy as a democracy activist over the years helped seal two of Kenya's most important reforms: multiparty democracy in 1991 and a new constitution in 2010.
Odinga led protests after a disputed 2007 vote plunged Kenya into its most serious political violence since independence.
About 1,300 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced in fighting between Odinga's Luo tribe and then-President Mwai Kibaki’s Kikuyus, the largest and richest group.
Violence also followed the 2017 vote. Odinga told Reuters then: "Each community believes that they are not safe unless their man is at the top".
PRISON 'A GOOD SCHOOL'
Odinga was the son of Oginga Odinga, Kenya's first vice-president under independence leader Jomo Kenyatta.
The fathers' rivalry continued with their sons.
Despite his family's extensive business interests, Odinga spent his early years as a left-wing firebrand, naming his son Fidel in honour of the Cuban Communist leader Fidel Castro.
Odinga was first imprisoned in 1982 after a coup attempt against then-President Daniel arap Moi, whose government jailed, tortured and murdered opponents. He served a total of nine years in jail, six in solitary confinement.
"Detention is a good school. You learn to reflect and think," Odinga told Reuters in 2007. "You also learn tolerance, to be forgiving, particularly against your adversaries."
Odinga first won his parliamentary seat in 1992, which included Kibera. He held the constituency until 2013, his bright orange Hummer mobbed whenever it bounced into the muddy lanes.
He lost his first presidential bid in 1997 against Moi. Four years later, Odinga formed a coalition government with him, a move some saw as opportunistic but he said was pragmatic.
"Democratisation is not like an instant coffee you brew and drink at the same time. It is a process," he said at the time.
The pattern continued, with Odinga breaking and building alliances with rivals over the next two decades.
He became prime minister in 2008 in a national unity government headed by his former foe Kibaki, as part of a deal to end the bloodletting.
Following the 2017 election, he reconciled with his opponent President Uhuru Kenyatta in what is dubbed the "Handshake".
He lost the 2022 election to now President William Ruto and challenged the result, which was upheld by the Supreme Court.
TRIBUTES
Undeterred, Odinga, by then in his late seventies, launched street protests against the government, only to strike a pact with Ruto in 2024, following a familiar playbook but effectively leaving Kenya without an official opposition.
Ruto visited Odinga's home on Wednesday morning and announced a state funeral and seven days of national mourning, moves likely to calm any political passions over his death.
"He championed reforms that gave birth to the rights and freedoms we hold dear today, his voice spoke for the oppressed. His conviction inspired generations, and his vision shaped the course of our history," Ruto said in an address to the nation.
Tributes to Odinga also flowed in from abroad, especially around Africa where he was a well-known figure.
"H.E. Raila Odinga was a towering figure in Kenya’s political life and a steadfast champion of democracy, good governance, and people-centred development," said African Union Commission head, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who defeated Odinga in the bloc's leadership contest this year.
Among Kenyans, opinions were divided over his legacy.
"May his fight for democracy continue to inspire our nation’s leaders," said Nairobi resident Grace Mbugua.
"He may not have had the best interests of all Kenyans at all times, and during his push for democracy, many lives were lost," added accountant Patrick Mungai.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 bi...
The President Cup 2026 continued with a dynamic programme, as the second day marked the official start of the international regatta....
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.&nbs...
A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelli...
Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing ...
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.
A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelling debate over influence, trust, and politics.
Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing the youth tournament to the South Caucasus for the second consecutive edition after the 2027 event.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
The death toll from a train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta rose to 14 women on Tuesday (28 April), with 84 people injured, after rescuers completed efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, the state rail operator said.
Mexican special forces arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero”, a senior commander of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in the western state of Nayarit, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on Monday (27 April).
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.
Reversing a decade of restrictions, New South Wales has opened new areas for gas exploration in its remote west. The move reflects growing concern over future energy supply across Australia’s east coast.
Travel demand across China is expected to remain robust during the upcoming five-day Labour Day holiday starting 1 May.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 29th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, has said the situation is “under control” in his first public remarks since a wave of coordinated attacks shook the country last weekend.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment