Kenya’s longtime opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, has died in India after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Medical officials at a wellness facility in Koothattukulam, Kerala’s Ernakulam district, confirmed that Odinga collapsed while undergoing Ayurvedic treatment and was pronounced dead at approximately 9:52 a.m. Indian Standard Time. Family members, including his daughter, were present at the time.
The 80-year-old Azimio la Umoja leader had travelled to India six days earlier for specialized therapy, reportedly to address fatigue and stress. His journey drew public attention after conflicting reports about his health flooded social media.
For nearly two weeks, speculation intensified as political commentators, bloggers, and opposition critics circulated unverified claims suggesting that Odinga was critically ill.
However, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership strongly dismissed the reports, describing them as “malicious propaganda.” On October 5, ODM’s Communications Director Dennis Onyango issued an official statement asserting that Odinga was “not hospitalized and not unwell,” emphasizing that the party leader had only travelled abroad for private engagements.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna echoed the message, accusing political rivals of exploiting misinformation to undermine Odinga’s image and destabilize the Azimio coalition.
The denials were followed by claims from ODM that Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s allies were behind the rumors, allegedly using AI-generated images and recycled videos to mislead the public. Fact-checking organizations later confirmed that some viral images showing Odinga in hospital were old and digitally altered.
Despite the reassurances, anxiety persisted among supporters, prompting Odinga’s elder brother, Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, to clarify on October 11 that the former Prime Minister was indeed receiving treatment in India but was “recuperating well and in stable condition.”
In the following days, photos emerged appearing to show Odinga smiling and walking at a wellness facility in Kerala, briefly easing fears about his condition.
Yet, according to hospital sources, his health deteriorated sharply within 48 hours. Doctors made several attempts to resuscitate him after he suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday morning but were unsuccessful.
Odinga’s death marks the end of an era for Kenyan politics. A central figure in the country’s democratic struggle, he spent over five decades in public service, leading campaigns for multi-party democracy, constitutional reform, and governance accountability.
As the face of the opposition and the leader of the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition, Odinga remained a symbol of resilience and reform, earning admiration across political divides.
Following the confirmation of his death, world leaders and Kenyan politicians have begun sending condolence messages. President William Ruto is expected to address the nation after receiving an official statement from the Odinga family. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated between the Kenyan government and Odinga’s relatives.
Raila Odinga’s passing not only leaves a void in Kenya’s opposition but also reopens debate about succession and the future of the Azimio coalition. His final days — clouded by rumor, denial, and eventual confirmation — reveal the deep tension between political image management and the public’s right to know about the health of its leaders.
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