Kenyan President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning following the death of opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, announcing that Odinga will be accorded a state funeral.
Odinga, 80, reportedly collapsed during a morning walk within the premises of an Ayurvedic facility in Koothattukulam, India, and was rushed to a private hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:52 a.m. local time.
In a national address on Wednesday, President Ruto paid tribute to Odinga, describing him as “a fearless leader” and a statesman whose influence shaped Kenya’s political landscape for decades.
“In honour of the right honourable member Raila Odinga’s extraordinary contribution to our nation, I have declared a seven-day period of national mourning during which the national flag shall fly at half-mast across the Republic of Kenya and in all our missions abroad,” Ruto said.
Reactions and condolences
Messages of condolence have continued to pour in from African and global leaders following the announcement of Odinga’s passing.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) described Odinga as “a towering figure in Kenya’s political life.”
“Mr. Odinga’s contributions extended far beyond national borders. As the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, he worked tirelessly to advance the continent’s integration and connectivity agenda, helping to lay the foundations for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and broader socio-economic transformation,” the AUC said in its tribute.
The Commission added that it would “continue to remember Odinga’s decades-long commitment to justice, pluralism, and democratic reform,” which left “an indelible mark not only on Kenya but across the African continent.”
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu, also expressed his condolences, praising Odinga’s lifelong dedication to democracy and Pan-African ideals.
“An unwavering Pan-Africanist, he dedicated his life to the pursuit of democracy, justice, and unity. His lifelong struggle for freedom and equality inspired generations across Kenya and beyond, reminding us that leadership is not about power, but about service and sacrifice,” Gebeyehu wrote.
