New Delhi | October 15, 2025 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya and one of Africa’s most influential political figures. Odinga, aged 80, passed away earlier in the day in Koothattukulam, Kerala, after suffering a heart attack during his morning walk.

In a heartfelt post on X, Prime Minister Modi remembered Odinga as a “towering statesman and a cherished friend of India.” He recalled his personal association with the Kenyan leader, which began during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. “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 India’s traditional systems of medicine,” Modi wrote, adding that Odinga’s passing was a great loss for Kenya and for those who knew him personally.

According to reports, Odinga had been in Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre. He was accompanied by his daughter and close family members during the visit. On Wednesday morning, while on his daily walk, Odinga suddenly collapsed around 6:30 a.m. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival. His body has since been kept at Deva Matha Hospital in Koothattukulam.

Odinga was widely respected as a pivotal figure in Kenya’s modern political history. Over the course of his long and eventful career, he served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and was instrumental in several key reforms, including the establishment of multiparty democracy in 1991 and the adoption of a new constitution in 2010. He earned the nickname “Agwambo,” meaning “the mysterious one” in his native Luo language, and was affectionately known as “Baba,” or “father,” by his supporters.

Born into a prominent political family as the son of Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, Raila Odinga became a champion of democracy, often at great personal cost. He spent nine years in prison, six of them in solitary confinement, for opposing the authoritarian rule of then-President Daniel arap Moi. “Detention is a good school. You learn to reflect and think,” Odinga once told Reuters, describing his years in confinement as a period of introspection that shaped his resilience.

Throughout his political journey, Odinga was known for forging alliances with rivals to stabilize Kenya’s democracy. He became prime minister as part of a unity government following the 2007–08 post-election violence, which left over 1,300 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. In 2018, he made headlines again when he reconciled with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta in a landmark gesture known as “The Handshake.”

Following his death, Kenyan President William Ruto announced a state funeral and seven days of national mourning, calling Odinga “a champion of reforms and freedoms that shaped our nation’s destiny.” Tributes have poured in from across Africa, with leaders praising his lifelong dedication to democracy and social justice.

For India, Raila Odinga’s passing marks the loss of a true friend who shared deep cultural and personal ties with the country. His admiration for Indian traditions, particularly Ayurveda, and his enduring partnership with Indian leaders made him a respected figure across both nations. His legacy—as a reformer, statesman, and advocate for unity—will continue to inspire generations in Kenya and beyond.

 PM Modi Pays Tribute to Former Kenyan PM Raila Odinga

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, calling him a cherished friend of India. Odinga, who was in Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment, passed away after suffering a heart attack during his morning walk. PM Modi fondly remembered their long association and Odinga’s admiration for India’s culture and traditional medicine. Known for his pivotal role in Kenyan politics and democratic reforms, Odinga’s death marks the end of an era for Kenya. A state funeral and national mourning have been declared in his honor.