Kenyatta Expresses Deep Personal Grief

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, accompanied by his wife Margaret Kenyatta, arrived at the Karen home of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, to convey his sympathies to the grieving family. The visit followed President William Ruto's national address confirming Odinga's death in India earlier that day.

Kenyatta described Odinga's passing as a deeply personal loss, stating, “My heart is heavy, and my spirit is burdened with a grief that is both profound and deeply personal. The news of Raila’s passing has left a silence that echoes across our nation, a silence where once there was a voice of thunder and conviction. I have lost a friend and a brother.” He further reflected on their journey from fierce political rivals to partners in national reconciliation, particularly referencing their 2018 'Handshake' that aimed to foster unity.

Leaders Gather at Karen Residence

Mama Ida Odinga, the widow of the former Prime Minister, received the Kenyatta's at the residence. She was surrounded by prominent leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama. President William Ruto, accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and several Cabinet Secretaries, had also visited the Odinga family earlier on Wednesday to offer his condolences.

The Karen home saw a continuous stream of mourners, including supporters, politicians, and diplomats, expressing their grief and shock at the loss of a figure many fondly referred to as 'Baba'. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, with some mourners chanting liberation songs and others breaking into spontaneous prayers.

Repatriation and Funeral Arrangements Underway

Raila Odinga, aged 80, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Kochi, Kerala, India, after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk. He had been in India for Ayurvedic treatment, a facility where his daughter Rosemary Odinga had previously regained her eyesight. A Kenyan delegation, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, is currently in India to facilitate the repatriation of Odinga's remains. The delegation also includes Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Hassan Joho, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohammed, and members of the Odinga family, including Mama Ida Odinga.

President Ruto has declared a seven-day period of national mourning, during which the national flag will fly at half-mast across Kenya and at its diplomatic missions abroad. Odinga will be accorded a State funeral with full military honours. A State funeral service is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025, at Nyayo National Stadium, followed by his burial on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County.

Raila Odinga's Enduring Political Legacy

Raila Amolo Odinga, born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Kisumu County, was a central figure in Kenyan politics for over four decades. Son of Kenya's first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, he was a staunch advocate for multi-party democracy and constitutional reforms. His political career was marked by periods of detention without trial during the one-party regime of President Daniel arap Moi, earning him a reputation as a political prisoner and symbol of resistance.

Odinga served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 as part of a power-sharing agreement following the disputed 2007 general election, which had led to widespread post-election violence. He made five unsuccessful bids for the presidency in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, often alleging electoral fraud. Despite never achieving the presidency, his influence on Kenya's democratic evolution is widely acknowledged.

Implications for Kenya's Political Future

Odinga's death leaves a significant void in Kenya's opposition politics and is expected to reshape the country's political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. While his absence removes a formidable rival for President Ruto, it also eliminates a stabilizing force in Kenya's often volatile political scene. Analysts suggest that new movements, including energized youth activists, may now seek to push for radical change. The question of succession within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the broader opposition remains a key uncertainty.

What to Watch

• The repatriation of Raila Odinga's body from India to Kenya.
• The State funeral proceedings and public viewing events scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025, to Saturday, October 18, 2025.
• The burial ceremony in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
• The evolving dynamics within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the broader opposition as they navigate a future without Raila Odinga.