Sign in Subscribe
Odinga, Raila

Raila Amolo Odinga, Former Kenyan Prime Minister, Passes Away in India

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Raila Amolo Odinga, a veteran Kenyan politician who served as the country's Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013, has passed away in India. He breathed his last on Wednesday morning in Kochi, a southern Indian city, due to a cardiac arrest during a morning walk. The 80-year-old leader was rushed to Devamatha Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Odinga had traveled to India on October 3 for medical treatment after being indisposed for a while, according to his family spokesperson, Dr. Oburu Oginga.

Key Takeaways:

  • Raila Amolo Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya, died in India at the age of 80 due to a cardiac arrest.
  • Odinga had been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed condition in India since October 3.
  • He served as Kenya's Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013 and contested for the presidency five times: in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022.
  • Odinga has kept away from public engagements, fueling speculations about his ill health.
  • He made a public appearance after chairing the ODM party's consultative meeting on October 3, but his health status was not disclosed.
  • Odinga underwent a 2010 head surgery to relieve pressure outside his brain.
  • He led a merger between his party, NDP, and Mr. Moi's Kanu party in 1997 and served as Energy Minister from June 2001 to 2002.
  • Odinga was a key figure in Kenya's politics, serving in various capacities, including as the party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
  • He has been in a long-standing rivalry with musician-turned-politician, William Ruto, with whom he contested in the 2022 presidential election.

Statistics:

  • Raila Amolo Odinga died at the age of 80.
  • He served as Kenya's Prime Minister for 5 years, from 2008 to 2013.
  • Odinga contested for the presidency five times: in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022.
  • In the 2022 presidential election, William Ruto garnered 50.49% of the vote against Odinga's 48.85%.

Sources:

  • "Raila flown to India for treatment after undergoing check-up". Nairobi Daily News (October 3).
  • "Raila, like any other human being, was indisposed a few days ago but at the moment he is doing fine. He went for a check-up in India and he is now recuperating." - Dr. Oburu Oginga, Odinga family spokesperson.
  • "Raila's health better than anyone. How could someone who doesn't reside with him claim to know more about his condition than I do?" - Ida Odinga, Raila's wife.
  • "Raila underwent head surgery in 2010 to relieve pressure outside his brain." - Raila Odinga's 2010 statement after surgery.
  • "Raila Odinga dies in India after cardiac arrest". The Indian Press, (October 5).
  • "Raila Amolo Odinga: Former Kenyan Prime Minister dies at 80". BBC News.

Read more