Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has passed away at the age of 80, according to family sources reported by the BBC. He died on Wednesday while receiving medical treatment in a hospital in India. Recent speculation regarding his health had circulated, although family members and associates had previously dismissed claims of critical illness. Following his death, condolences have been expressed by various political leaders, including Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Raila Odinga was a significant figure in Kenyan politics and ran for the presidency five times, each time alleging that the results were manipulated against him. His claims prompted the highest court in Kenya to invalidate the 2017 election results, leading to fresh elections that he subsequently boycotted due to demands for electoral reforms.
The contentious 2007 election, in which he accused then-President Mwai Kibaki of cheating, resulted in significant violence across Kenya, causing around 1,200 deaths and displacing approximately 600,000 individuals. A power-sharing agreement, facilitated by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, eventually led to the formation of a unity government in which Odinga served as Prime Minister. Throughout his career, he often reconciled with incumbents after elections.
His most recent political maneuver involved joining President William Ruto’s administration following a loss in 2022, a move he described as essential for national unity after widespread protests earlier that year. Odinga’s bid for the chairperson position of the African Union Commission earlier this year, supported by the Ruto administration, ended in defeat against Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
Known for cultivating a loyal following, particularly in western Kenya, Odinga earned titles such as “Baba” (Father) and “Tinga” (Tractor), reflective of his party’s symbols. He was recognized as a skilled strategist and mobilizer, with a notable history of advocating for democratic freedoms and human rights, having spent many years as a political prisoner under the regime of Daniel arap Moi.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m39xg4dggo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss