Kings never die, they rest. On October 15, 2025, Kenya’s father of democracy, the second prime minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, breathed his last after a cardiac arrest during a morning run in India.
He was pronounced dead by Dr. Sister Alphons, a cardiologist at Devamatha Hospital, after several attempts of CPR failed.
His death was later confirmed to the public by President William Ruto, quashing the rumours that were rapidly spreading on social media.
His death has sent shock-waves not only in Luo Nyanza, but the country as a whole. While Kenyans continue to come to terms with his death, messages of condolences continue to flow from world leaders.
But who was Raila? A man whom many termed a mysterious political figure, unpredictable, with a unique political aura, Kenyan Gen Zs, the new political wave, stated on social media that they grew up believing Odinga was ‘immortal‘.
With a political and public life spanning six decades, Raila Odinga’s aura remains unmatched. From drawing crowds to unfunded protests, commonly witnessed in the current political landscape in Kenya, he effortlessly solidified his base.
Fondly known as Baba among his followers, Odinga had formed not only a loyal following, bt hado gained a continental fanbase.
Throughout his public life, Odinga fashioned himself as a political mentor, as well as a father figure to many aspiring leaders.
Mostly, his following has been termed as a cult, with his followers taking his directive without revolt.
While others termed him a political con and betrayer, Odinga’s political career has been characterised by Kenya before himself; always stating Kenya was bigger than any person. Acknowledging unity with his opponents to stabilise the country.
Raila the peacemaker
In many instances, despite confirmation of a stolen victory, Odinga calmly chose the country over his personal ambitions.
During an interview in celebrating his life, former Pentagon Members, Najib Balala and Charity Ngilu, confirmed Odinga won the 2007 General elections, which plunged the country into the most unforgettable violence that left over 1000 people dead.
Ngilu said despite pressure to remain on his stand as the victor, he questioned his members on the fate of children and women in Kenya, who were innocently being killed.
Following his love for Kenya, Odinga made peace with the late President Mwai Kibaki, leading to the formation of a coalition government, famously known by Kenyans as ‘Nusu Mkate’, in 2008.
In 2018, Odinga lost the election to former President Uhuru Kenyatta. After a series of protests, he made peace with Uhuru, which was dubbed the Handshake in March 2018.
Still, not welcomed by supporters of the two, including the then Deputy President William Ruto. Peace was restored and collaboration witnessed between Jubilee and his coalition, then National Super Alliance (NASA).
In 2024, still with Kenya at heart, following a Gen Z-led anti-government protests that left more than 60 youths dead, over the controversial 2024 Finance Bill, he extended an olive branch to President William Ruto, under an umbrella dubbed Broad-Based Government, which saw the tension and political tension in the country cool down.
Key supporters of Odinga were included in the government and handed critical ministries, core to the agenda of the Kenya Kwanza Government.
Broad-Based has, however, received resistance, as a majority of Kenyans feel President Ruto has failed to keep up the agreement under the 10-point Joint Framework, Memorandum of understanding signed, which called for an end to abductions, forced disappearances and suppression of dissenting voices.
However, Odinga spoke of a united Kenya, expressing his confidence in the unifying goal of Broad-Based, with many of his speeches calling on maintaining peace.
His sentiments were echoed by his wife, Mama Ida Odinga, as she eulogised him during the state funeral at Nyayo Stadium.
Raila the People’s president
While he commanded a massive crowd following, sentiments including,” Even in death he remains Him, Politics was Baba and Baba was Politics, There can only be one Baba, Odinga won the hearts of Kenyans, as evidently shown by his supporters since the announcement of his death.
Scenes witnessed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in 2017, after a visit from the United States, coiling the famous phrase “Baba, while you were away”, saw a similar repeat on October 16, 2025, when thousands of his supporters thronged JKIA to receive his remains from India.
Following the massive crowd, President William Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta and other leaders were unable to receive him officially in a state manner, military salute and honours. His body viewing moved from Parliament Buildings to Kasarani Stadium due to a huge crowd. Online Kenyans said,” Baba was too big for parliament.”
A similar shift of venue was witnessed with the public viewing of his body on Saturday in Kisumu County, which was moved from Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo.
Odinga has been accorded a state funeral, for his contribution to the country; honours often reserved for presidents.
In Kenya, only four people had earlier been accorded state funerals, including founding father Jomo Kenyatta, late vice president Kijana Wamalwa, retired presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki.
On Saturday, emotions are expected to be high, with thousands of residents expected to fill the stadium and be escorted by road to Siaya County for the night vigil, at his Opoda Farm in Bondo.
Keeping Odinga’s spirit alive
Many terming Odinga’s last journey one for the books, with not a similar politician yet to receive a love, his life was filled by a mixture of love and hate, his death overshadowing the ’hate’. Indeed Baba Jakom was a man of the people.
In their speeches, Uhuru and Ruto both acknowledged the selflessness exhibited by Odinga, Kenya always before his desires, and they urged Kenyans to let the spirit and legacy of Odinga live on.
Uhuru further put emphasis and urged Kenyans to keep alive the democracy and freedom fought for by Odinga, not to be reversed.
His sentiments came after President William Ruto signed the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Amendment Bill of 2024 into law, which threatens the freedom of speech, hours before Odinga’s death was made public.
The new law gives the government powers to delete online content and shut down social media platforms. Additionally, users face a 10-year jail term or a fine of KSh 20 million for violating the law.
Far from politics, Odinga has been described as a peacemaker and a people’s president; his charisma and aura remain unmatched. The question now is, who will replace him? Many have said they can never be another, but his memory still lives on.
His death is expected to bring a major political shift in the country, from his latest reunion with the Kenya Kwanza Government, the divided Orange Democratic Party (ODM), which was to mark 20 years of existence, to a new political era in Luo Nyanza.
While his elder brother, Senator Oburu Odinga, admitted it will be difficult to fill Odinga’s shoes, he takes over the leadership of the largest political party in the country, promising to keep the spirit of unity championed by Raila Odinga.
