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Kenya’s veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has died in India while undergoing Ayurvedic treatment, a traditional Indian healing practice he had long admired.
He was 80.
Odinga reportedly collapsed on Wednesday morning during a routine walk at the Devamatha Ayurvedic Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, where he had been receiving therapy for an undisclosed condition.
Doctors at the hospital confirmed that he suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 9.52am local time.
His body has since been preserved at the facility as diplomatic and family arrangements are made for repatriation.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, led tributes to the late Kenyan statesman, describing him as a “towering leader and a cherished friend of India.”
In an emotional message on X, Modi recalled his decades-long personal relationship with Odinga and praised his deep affection for India’s cultural and traditional values.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and former Prime Minister of Kenya, Mr. Raila Odinga,” Modi wrote.
“He had a special affection for India, our culture, values and ancient wisdom. This was reflected in his efforts to strengthen India–Kenya ties. He particularly admired Ayurveda and traditional medicine systems of India, having witnessed their positive impact on his daughter’s health. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and to the people of Kenya in this hour of grief.”
Odinga’s death marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics. A fierce advocate of democracy and reform, he was a dominant figure for more than four decades, shaping the nation’s post-independence political trajectory.
Despite five presidential bids between 1997 and 2022, he never attained the presidency but remained the face of Kenya’s opposition and a symbol of political resilience.
The son of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila was central to Kenya’s pro-democracy struggle during the one-party era and was detained multiple times for his activism.
His political career included serving as a Cabinet Minister and later as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 in a coalition government following Kenya’s disputed 2007 elections.
Odinga’s decision to seek Ayurvedic treatment in India reflected his enduring connection to the country’s ancient wellness traditions, which he credited with improving his daughter Rosemary’s health after a stroke several years ago.
His passing in Kochi has therefore carried symbolic resonance in both nations, representing a cross-continental bond grounded in friendship, faith, and shared values.
Tributes have poured in from across Africa and beyond. Kenyan President William Ruto described Odinga as “a patriot who gave his life to the service of his country,” while South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa called him “a voice of African democracy and a statesman of uncommon courage.”
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