Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya and a long-time opposition leader, has died at the age of 80, a source from his office confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday. No further details were provided.
According to Indian newspaper Mathrubhumi, Odinga had been receiving medical treatment in Kochi, in southern India. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday and was pronounced dead after being rushed to hospital.
A prominent figure in Kenyan politics for decades, Odinga ran unsuccessfully for president five times. Two of those elections—2007 and 2017—were marred by widespread unrest, with the 2007 vote sparking post-election violence that left around 1,300 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Despite never securing the presidency, Odinga played a critical role in shaping Kenya’s democratic landscape. His efforts contributed to major reforms, including the introduction of multiparty democracy in 1991 and the passage of a new constitution in 2010.
