Raila Odinga(1945-2025): The Kenyan Enigma
- mwananchivoiceco
- Oct 15, 2025
- 2 min read
Kenya is mourning the death of veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, who died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment in India.
The 80-year-old politician, revered and polarizing in equal measure, leaves behind a political legacy that shaped Kenya’s democratic evolution over five decades.
Sudden Death in India
Odinga collapsed during a morning walk at a wellness facility in Kochi, Kerala, where he was receiving Ayurvedic therapy. He was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Indian authorities confirmed he suffered a cardiac arrest. Messages of condolence poured in from across the political divide.
From Detention to Power
Born in 1945 in Maseno, Kisumu County, Raila Odinga was the son of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Educated in East Africa and later in Germany, he returned home to join public service before diving into politics during the turbulent 1980s.
He was detained without trial for his role in the 1982 coup attempt and spent nearly eight years in prison.
Upon release, Odinga became one of the foremost advocates for multi-party democracy, which was restored in 1991 after years of single-party rule.
His fiery style, charisma, and resilience earned him a national following—and the nickname “Agwambo,” the mysterious one.
Defining Political Moments
Odinga ran for president five times—in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022—coming agonizingly close on several occasions.
After the disputed 2007 election, which triggered post-poll violence that claimed over 1,000 lives, Odinga entered a coalition government as Prime Minister under a power-sharing deal with then President Mwai Kibaki.
The accord ended months of unrest and paved the way for the 2010 Constitution, one of his proudest achievements.
In 2018, Odinga shocked the nation when he shook hands with his fierce rival, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The famous “Handshake” eased political tensions and birthed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a reform agenda aimed at national unity—though later invalidated by the courts.
Broad-Based Alliance with President Ruto
In one of the most dramatic turns of his career, Odinga in March 2025 entered into a Broad-Based Government agreement with President William Ruto, ending years of political hostilities.
The two leaders signed a Joint Framework for Cooperation, committing to address youth unemployment, cost of living, and national cohesion. Several ODM members were later appointed to cabinet and state positions in what Ruto termed a “unity arrangement for stability.”
The pact drew mixed reactions—supporters hailed it as a statesmanlike gesture for peace, while critics said it blurred the lines between government and opposition.
Odinga maintained the partnership was temporary, saying it aimed to “steady the nation, not silence dissent.” A Pan-African Voice Beyond Kenya, Odinga was respected as a continental statesman.
He served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, championing cross-border connectivity projects such as the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Corridor (LAPSSET).
He was also a symbol of democratic struggle in Africa, often drawing parallels with Nelson Mandela for his endurance and reconciliation.
The Final Chapter:
Raila Odinga’s death brings to a close a remarkable political journey that saw him transform from a dissident detainee to Prime Minister, from a relentless opposition figure to a partner in government.
Raila Odinga is survived by his wife Ida Odinga, four children, and grandchildren.
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