The Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga is dead.
Raila passed away at the age of 80 on Wednesday, October 15, after suffering a cardiac arrest.
According to reports, he collapsed during a morning walk at an Ayurvedic treatment facility in Kerala’s Ernakulam district and was rushed to a private hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was pronounced dead at 7:22 am.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga Dies, Aged 80. Photo: Courtesy.
The ODM leader’s body is currently kept at the hospital.
The death comes days after his brother Oburu Odinga revealed that he was seeking treatment abroad.
Oburu Oginga assured Kenyans that the ODM leader was recovering well after receiving treatment abroad.
He moreover stated that Raila’s condition was not serious and that he was recuperating steadily before returning home.
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch also confirmed speaking to Raila on Tuesday, saying the former Prime Minister was in good spirits and gave him several party-related instructions.
Born in January 1945, Raila is one of Kenya’s longest-serving politicians, having joined politics in the early 1980s to oppose President Daniel arap Moi’s rule.
He was detained for six years without trial over his political activities and later went into exile in Norway before returning in 1992.
Since then, Raila has served as Lang’ata MP, Cabinet Minister, and Prime Minister in the grand coalition government formed after the 2007 post-election violence.
He has contested the presidency five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — and in February 2025, unsuccessfully vied for the African Union Commission Chairperson seat.
Raila leaves behind a widow and three children.
