Former Kenyan premier was champion of democracy

RAILA ODINGA, 1945 - 2025

- By EVELYNE MUSAMBI AND RODNEY MUHUMUZA

Raila Odinga, a former prime minister of Kenya and perennial presidential candidate whose populist campaigns challenged one-party rule, rattled authorities and gave him outsize influence on political life in the East African country, died Wednesday of a heart attack while traveling in India. He was 80.

His death was confirmed by Devamatha Hospital in Kerala state, where he was taken after he collapsed during a morning walk. A hospital statement said Odinga didn’t respond to resuscitation efforts.

There were somber scenes at his home in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where mourners included national leaders. Tributes cited his commitment to democracy.

President William Ruto declared a seven-day mourning period during which national flags will fly at half-staff, calling Odinga’s death an “immense and immeasurable loss.” Odinga will have a state funeral, Ruto said.

Odinga had recently signed a political pact with Ruto that saw his opposition party involved in government policymaking and its members appointed to the Cabinet.

But his ambition was to become president, and he ran five times over three decades — sometimes with enough support that many believed he might win.

He came close in 2007 when he lost to incumbent Mwai Kibaki in a disputed election marred by ethnic violence. And in 2017, a court nullified the presidential election — a first in Africa — after Odinga’s challenge, but he decided to boycott the fresh vote, asserting it wouldn't be credible without reforms.

Although Odinga never succeeded at becoming president, for many he was a revered figure and statesman whose activism helped steer Kenya into a vibrant multiparty democracy.

Disputed election, then violence