Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga has died at the age of 80.
Raila died on Wednesday, while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Kochi, India.
In recent weeks, there has been speculation about his health, although family members and political allies had dismissed reports suggesting he was critically ill.
Odinga was born on 7th January 1945.
He was married to Ida Odinga in 1973 and were blessed with four children, including; Rosemary Odinga, Winnie Odinga, Odinga Junior and late Fidel Odinga.
His father was Oginga Odinga, and his brother was Oburu Odinga.
He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Langata Constituency from 1992 to 2013 and was the leader of opposition in Kenya.
He will be remembered for his contribution towards multiparty democracy in 1991.
Political Parties Under Raila Odinga
- Forum for Restoration of Democracy – Kenya (1992-1994)
- National Development Party (1994-2002)
- Kenya African National Union (2000-2002)
- Liberal Democratic Party (2002-2005)
- Orange Democratic Movement (2005-)
Raila’s Five Unsuccessfully Attempts Into Presidency
Odinga ran for president of Kenya five times, all of which were unsuccessful. Each time, Odinga alleged electoral fraud.
In 1997, he finished third as the candidate of the National Development Party (NDP).
In 2007, he ran again for the presidency under tthe ODM party and lost to Mwai Kibaki.
He served as Kenyan Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013.
In 2013, 2017 and 2022, Odinga was the runner-up as a candidate for the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), National Super Alliance (NASA) and Azimio La Umoja respectfully.
In 2013 and 2017, he lost to Uhuru Kenyatta, and in both terms , he opted to work with the government under the ‘handshake’ deals.
In 2022, Raila lost to President William Ruto.
After his loss, he filed for petition against President-elect, Mr Ruto at the SupremeCourt of Kenya. The court decided against him, and Odinga pledged to respect its ruling.
In February 2024, he announced his candidacy for the African Union Commission Chairperson, but was defeated by Mahamoud Ali Youssouf in the February 2025 ballot.
Following the loss, Raila signed a working MoU between ODM and UDA, and has been serving closely with Ruto untill his death.
