Kenyans at home and abroad are mourning the death of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who passed away on Tuesday in Kerala, India, at the age of 80.
His sudden demise has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes across the country and beyond.
Odinga, a veteran politician and one of Kenya’s most influential figures, reportedly collapsed during a morning walk while receiving treatment in Kerala.
He was rushed to a hospital in Koothattukulam, Ernakulam District, where doctors pronounced him dead. Hospital and police officials in India confirmed the development, citing cardiac arrest as the cause of death.
Reactions have flooded social media as citizens, political allies, and international leaders express shock over the loss of the man widely regarded as the face of Kenya’s democratic struggle.
President William Ruto described Odinga’s death as “a painful blow to the nation,” praising him as “a courageous leader whose lifelong service shaped Kenya’s political journey.”
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta also paid tribute, calling Odinga “a patriot who fought for justice, equity, and unity even in the face of adversity.”
Across Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa, crowds gathered spontaneously, waving flags and chanting solidarity songs in memory of the former prime minister. Many described his passing as the end of an era.
“We have lost a voice that always stood with the ordinary Kenyan,” wrote Esther Anyango, a Kenyan Twitter user. “Whether you agreed with him or not, Raila was a symbol of hope.”
Messages of condolence have also poured in from African leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, who described Odinga as “a steadfast African democrat”, and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, who called him “a brother in the struggle for freedom.”
Odinga, who served as Kenya’s prime minister between 2008 and 2013, remained a central figure in national politics, contesting multiple presidential elections and leading opposition coalitions for decades.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced, but the Kenyan government has declared a period of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast in honour of the late statesman.
His death marks the passing of one of Africa’s most resilient political icons, a man whose name was synonymous with reform, resistance, and the pursuit of democracy.