Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is dead.
Raila died at a hospital at Koothattukulam in Ernakulam in India following a heart attack.
Officials said he had been taken to Koothattukulam Sreedhareeyam Ayurveda Hospital for treatment when the incident happened on Wednesday morning.
The mortal remains are kept at Koothattukulam Devamatha Hospital. The family will issue a statement later.
Odinga, who had been undergoing treatment in Kochi, passed away on Wednesday due to cardiac arrest.
He suffered a cardiac arrest during morning walk. He was taken to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam where he was pronounced dead.
The 80-year-old Odinga is a prominent Kenyan politician who served as the country’s prime minister from 2008 to 2013. He has unsuccessfully run for president five times – in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022.
A prominent figure in Kenyan politics, 80-year-old Raila Odinga held the post of Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013. His long career is marked by five campaigns for the presidency-in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022—all of which ended without success.
Odinga’s daughter has been undergoing treatment at the Sreedhareeyam Hospital in Thodupuzha.
In his 2022 ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi fondly recalled a candid conversation with former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga during one of their meetings.
Odinga had shared the emotional journey of his daughter, Rosemary, who suffered from a brain tumour and underwent surgery, which left her with severely impaired eyesight.
Despite seeking treatment across various countries, there was little improvement, until someone recommended India for its Ayurveda treatment. After travelling to India for treatment, Rosemary experienced improvement in her vision.
Raila had been flown to India following complaints of headache and hip complications.
Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga came out to set the record straight about Odinga’s condition and whereabouts.
He said Raila is in India and had been unwell. He said Raila is responding well to the medical attention.
Addressing the press on Thursday, October 9, Oburu confirmed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader had indeed been unwell but is currently on the path to recovery.
He, however, dismissed speculations that the former Prime Minister was gravely sick, clarifying that Odinga only suffered a slight illness which forced him to seek medical attention abroad.
“But I want to tell you that he is out and about, and he is just like any other human being who was indisposed a little, and he is now recuperating and resting, but he was not in those conditions alleged.”
He said the veteran opposition leader was currently in India and not the United States or the United Arab Emirates as alleged by a section of Kenyans.
“He has recovered well. Soon you will see him here,” he said.
Oburu emphasised that the former Prime Minister was well and that he could return to Kenya anytime soon to resume his normal political duties.
“I want to tell you that very soon you will see him back. He is in India and people should not say they do not know where he is. He is not in the US or Dubai as alleged by some,” Oburu clarified.
Oburu’s comments come against the backdrop of widespread speculations about the health status of the ODM party leader.
This came after Ida dismissed claims that Odinga was sick, maintaining that the husband was well and had travelled abroad to take a break from Kenya’s political spotlight.
Ida questioned how people who are not close to Raila could know his health status better than she does.
“In the past week, people have been disturbed by rumours claiming Raila is sick. If his condition were truly as serious as they say, I would have taken him to a hospital here in Migori for treatment,” Ida stated.
“He is fine, he is just resting abroad. How can someone who does not live with him claim to know his health status, while I, who stays with him, am unaware of any issues? Baba is okay,” she added.
