Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has paid a heartfelt tribute to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing him as a defining figure in his political journey and a true patriot who dedicated his life to Kenya’s unity and progress.
Odinga, 80, died in India following a heart attack while receiving treatment at the Koothattukulam Sreedhareeyam Ayurveda Hospital in Ernakulam. According to medical officials, he collapsed during a morning walk and was rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was pronounced dead. His body has since been preserved at the hospital as the family prepares an official statement.
In an emotional statement, Uhuru said the death of Raila had left him deeply shaken.
“My heart is heavy, and my spirit is burdened with a grief that is both profound and deeply personal. The news of Raila’s passing has left a silence that echoes across our nation, a silence where once there was a voice of thunder and conviction,” Uhuru said.
The former President reflected on his long political relationship with the veteran opposition leader, noting that while they often stood on opposing sides, Raila played an instrumental role in shaping his political path.
“To me, Raila was more than a political colleague; he was a defining part of my own journey, in public service and in life. Raila and I were navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses for the nation we both loved,” Uhuru added.
He recounted how their once-fierce rivalry eventually evolved into mutual respect and a shared vision for a united Kenya through the 2018 Handshake.
“That journey from fierce political opponents to partners in the pursuit of ‘Handshake’ unity taught me the true measure of the man. I saw firsthand his unwavering passion for this country, his deep-seated belief in justice, and his incredible capacity to think beyond personal ambition for the sake of national peace,” he said.
Uhuru described Raila as a man whose ideas inspired others to think critically and defend their convictions passionately.
“Baba, as we fondly referred to him, was a man who made you sharpen your own ideas, compelling you to defend your positions with rigor and passion. I have lost a friend and a brother. I will miss our conversations — sometimes challenging, always insightful — and the fire of belief that never left his eyes,” he said.
“To Mama Ida, the children, and the entire Odinga family, I extend my deepest, most heartfelt condolences. You have shared Baba with Kenya for a lifetime, and we mourn with you. We have lost a father to the nation, a steadfast champion for the people, and a true son of Kenya,” Uhuru added.
He concluded by saying Raila’s legacy would endure through the peace and unity he helped forge.
“His legacy is not just in the political battles he fought but in the peace he helped build. It is etched in the very fabric of our nation. Rest in peace, my friend. Your work here is done, but your echo will never fade.”
KANU Party leader Gideon Moi also mourned Odinga, describing him as the most consequential political figure of modern Kenya.
“What will forever define Hon. Odinga’s legacy was his untiring selflessness. He consistently placed the nation above self and all else. He made decisions not because they were popular or convenient, but because they were right,” Moi said.
“He was a man of firm conviction, who believed that a country can only prosper when constitutionalism and the rule of law precede any other ambition. Yet, he was pragmatic enough to build consensus when the country’s unity and progress demanded it,” he added.
Raila Odinga served as Kenya’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013 under the Grand Coalition Government. He ran for the presidency five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — and remained one of the country’s most influential political figures until his death.
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