Africa News

Raila Odinga Dies at 80 After Cardiac Arrest During Morning Walk in India

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, pictured in 2017, was a towering figure in African politics and a lifelong champion of democracy.

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has passed away at the age of 80 after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in Kerala, India. The veteran politician, who was in India for Ayurvedic treatment, reportedly collapsed while exercising within the facility premises and was rushed to Devamatha Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:52 a.m. local time.

Odinga, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, was a central figure in the nation’s democratic reforms and contested the presidency five times. His death marks the end of an era for Kenya’s political landscape, as he was widely regarded as a symbol of resilience and reform.

Odinga’s passing has drawn tributes from across Africa and beyond, with leaders mourning his immense contribution to governance, peace, and unity. Known for his fierce advocacy for multiparty democracy, constitutional change, and good governance, Odinga leaves behind a legacy that shaped Kenya’s modern political history.