Kenya Mourns: Raila Odinga, Political Giant, Dies at 80
Kenya is in shock as it mourns the death of Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away on 15 October 2025 at the age of 80. Known to millions as “Raila” and sometimes as “Agwambo,” he was a force in Kenyan politics for more than five decades.
Born in Maseno on 7 January 1945, Raila was the son of Kenya’s first Vice-President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. He studied mechanical engineering in East Germany before returning home to lecture at the University of Nairobi and rise to Deputy Director at the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
Raila’s political journey was anything but easy. He challenged Kenya’s one-party system in the 1970s and 1980s, endured imprisonment, and spent years in exile. In 1992, he returned to a multi-party Kenya and was elected to Parliament, quickly becoming a central figure in shaping the nation’s politics.
He served in multiple ministerial roles and became Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 after the disputed 2007 election. Though he never won the presidency despite five attempts, his influence was unmatched. Raila was instrumental in Kenya’s transition to democracy, including the historic 2010 Constitution that reformed governance and strengthened institutions.
Raila leaves a legacy of persistence, political reform, and social justice. He inspired millions and shaped Kenya’s modern political landscape.
His story is a reminder that leadership is not only about holding office but about standing for principles and giving a voice to the people.
