Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 80, due to cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kochi, India.
He had been receiving medical care for an undisclosed condition. Cause of Death Raila Odinga suffered a cardiac arrest during a morning walk at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre, where he was undergoing wellness treatment. He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was pronounced dead at around 9:52 a.m. local time.
Tributes and Funeral Plans President William Ruto announced a seven-day national mourning period, with flags flying at half-mast across the country and at Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad. Raila Odinga will be accorded a state funeral with full honors. The funeral is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 19, with a public viewing at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. Legacy Raila Odinga was a veteran politician and a champion of democracy, constitutional reform, and social justice. He served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times. His legacy includes :
Democracy and Reforms: Odinga played a key role in Kenya’s transition to multiparty democracy and the adoption of the 2010 constitution.
Regional Integration: He was a strong advocate for regional integration and cooperation, particularly within the East African Community.
Human Rights: Odinga championed human rights and social justice, often speaking out against government excesses and advocating for the rights of the marginalized. Reactions World leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have paid tribute to Raila Odinga’s legacy, describing him as a “towering statesman” and a “cherished friend of India”. Kenyan leaders, including President Ruto, have also paid tribute, with Ruto describing Odinga as a “beacon of courage” and a “tower of principle” .
