Following the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, President John Dramani Mahama offered his sincere sympathies, describing it as “a sad loss to Kenya, Africa, and the world.”
President Mahama sent his condolences to Mama Idah Odinga, the Odinga family, President William Samoei Ruto, and the Kenyan people in a post on his official Facebook page.
At 80 years old, Raila Odinga died on Wednesday, October 15, while receiving medical care in Kochi, India. He reportedly experienced a heart arrest and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A towering figure in Kenya’s political history, Odinga remained a steadfast defender of democratic ideals. While his five presidential campaigns did not yield victory, his legacy endures through milestones like the return to multiparty democracy in 1991 and the enactment of the 2010 constitution, both pivotal in reshaping Kenya’s political landscape.
One of the most significant periods in Kenya’s recent history was his leadership of the demonstrations that followed the contentious 2007 elections, which were characterized by severe national divisions and deadly violence.
As Leaders consider Odinga’s legacy and influence, tributes have poured in from all across Africa and the world.
