Former Prime Minister and veteran opposition leader Raila Amolo Odinga died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 80. His death, which occurred from a heart attack while on a trip to India for medical treatment, was confirmed by the Devamatha Hospital in Kerala. An official at the hospital stated that Odinga collapsed during a morning walk and did not respond to resuscitation efforts.

The news plunged Kenya into a period of deep mourning, with leaders and citizens alike paying tribute to a man who was a central and often polarizing figure in the nation's politics for over three decades. President William Ruto visited the Odinga family home in Karen, Nairobi, to offer his condolences shortly after the news broke, and announced that the former Prime Minister would be honored with a state funeral.

Odinga's political career was marked by a relentless, though ultimately unsuccessful, quest for the presidency, having run five times between 1997 and 2022. His challenges to election results often led to significant political and social upheaval, most notably after the disputed 2007 election. Yet, he also served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 in a grand coalition government, a role created to resolve the political crisis.

His passing leaves a significant leadership vacuum in Kenyan opposition politics. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the party he founded and led, has moved to manage the transition. On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the party's National Governing Council ratified Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, Odinga's elder brother, as the new party leader. Oburu had been serving in an acting capacity since his brother's death.

The political realignments following Odinga's death are already taking shape. President Ruto has reportedly intensified his political activities in Western Kenya, a region historically considered an Odinga stronghold, in a bid to win over his support base ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In the weeks following her husband's death and burial on October 19, Ida Odinga has been a central figure, receiving mourners and dignitaries at their family homes in Nairobi and Bondo. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, she hosted Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at their Kang'o Ka Jaramogi home, acknowledging the long-standing political friendship between Musyoka and her late husband. The input for this article, which mentioned Mama Ida taking a break, corresponds with this period of intense mourning and public engagement.

Odinga's legacy is complex. He was hailed by many as a champion for democracy and a key figure in the fight for multi-party politics in Kenya. His supporters, who affectionately called him "Baba" (Father), saw him as a statesman who fought for justice and equality. However, he was also a divisive figure, and his political battles often polarized the nation.

The death of Raila Odinga marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics. As the country navigates the ensuing transition, the focus will be on how the opposition regroups and how the political landscape, long dominated by his presence, will be reshaped.