Kenyan President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning following the death of opposition leader Raila Odinga, a towering figure in East African politics.
The national flag will fly at half-mast across Kenya and in its diplomatic missions abroad, while Odinga will be honoured with a state funeral. India has pledged to assist in repatriating his remains, according to a statement from the State House.
Parliament will hold a special sitting on Thursday, with lawmakers donning black attire to pay tribute to the veteran politician whose influence shaped Kenya’s modern democracy.
Scenes of grief and unrest emerged across Nairobi as citizens mourned, with reports of looting and chaos following news of Odinga’s passing.
For more than five decades, Odinga stood as a pillar of Kenya’s political landscape. A key figure in the pro-democracy movement that ended one-party rule in 1991, he also helped draft the 2010 Constitution that redefined Kenya’s governance.
Educated as an engineer in East Germany, Odinga served as prime minister between 2008 and 2013 under a power-sharing deal following a disputed election that claimed over 1,000 lives.
Despite five unsuccessful presidential bids, he remained the enduring face of the opposition and an unwavering advocate for reform, justice, and accountability.
His life was marked by struggle and resilience — detained for six years in the 1980s under President Daniel Arap Moi, yet emerging stronger to champion change and unity.
Odinga is survived by his wife, Ida, and their four children.
Leaders across Africa and beyond hailed him as a “champion of democracy” and a statesman whose legacy transcends Kenya’s borders, leaving an indelible mark on the continent’s political history.