Raila Odinga, a central figure in Kenyan politics for decades, passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80. The former Prime Minister died of a cardiac arrest while on a visit to Koothattukulam, India.
The table below summarizes key details about his life and political career based on updated online information.
CategoryDetailsFull Name & Dates | Raila Amolo Odinga (7 January 1945 – 15 October 2025)
Cause of Death | Cardiac arrest in Koothattukulam, India
Political Profile | Prime Minister of Kenya (2008–2013); Member of Parliament for Langata (1992–2013); Leader of Opposition (2013 onward)
Presidential Bids | Unsuccessfully ran five times (1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2022), alleging electoral fraud in the last four
Key Political Roles | • Minister for Energy (2001–2002)
• Minister of Roads, Public Works and Housing (2003–2005)
• African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development (2018–2023)
Early Life & Education | Son of Kenya's first Vice President, Oginga Odinga. Earned a Master's in Mechanical Engineering in East Germany (1970).
Cause of Death | Cardiac arrest in Koothattukulam, India
Political Profile | Prime Minister of Kenya (2008–2013); Member of Parliament for Langata (1992–2013); Leader of Opposition (2013 onward)
Presidential Bids | Unsuccessfully ran five times (1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2022), alleging electoral fraud in the last four
Key Political Roles | • Minister for Energy (2001–2002)
• Minister of Roads, Public Works and Housing (2003–2005)
• African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development (2018–2023)
Early Life & Education | Son of Kenya's first Vice President, Oginga Odinga. Earned a Master's in Mechanical Engineering in East Germany (1970).
📜 Political Career and Legacy
Raila Odinga's political journey was marked by decades of activism, coalition-building, and a persistent push for democratic reforms.
- Struggle for Multi-Party Democracy: Odinga was a leading figure in the fight against single-party rule during President Daniel arap Moi's era. Following a failed coup attempt in 1982, he was imprisoned without trial for six years and spent nearly nine years in total detention over various periods.
- Prime Minister and Post-Election Crisis: His most prominent national role came after the disputed 2007 presidential election. The ensuing violence led to a power-sharing agreement, creating a coalition government with Odinga as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013.
- The "Handshake" and Shifting Alliances: In a major political shift in 2018, Odinga reconciled with his longtime rival, President Uhuru Kenyatta, in a move known as "The Handshake," which was aimed at fostering national unity but also drew criticism from his support base.
