South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has joined world leaders in mourning the death of Kenya’s former Prime Minister and opposition leader Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away early Wednesday while undergoing treatment in India.
In a statement issued by the Office of the President, Kiir described Odinga as a “distinguished Pan-Africanist whose lifelong dedication to democracy, justice, and national unity made him an enduring symbol of leadership and integrity in Kenya and across Africa.”
“It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that I learned of the passing of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, the former Prime Minister,” Kiir said.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of South Sudan, and on my own behalf, I extend condolences to His Excellency, the Government and people of Kenya, his beloved wife Mama Idah Odinga, and the bereaved family. We stand with you and the people of Kenya in prayer and solidarity.”
President Kiir prayed for comfort for the Odinga family and the people of Kenya, saying Raila’s death was a loss not only to his country but to the entire continent.
Odinga, 80, died on Wednesday morning while receiving medical treatment at an Ayurvedic facility in Kochi, India.
According to reports, he collapsed during a morning walk and was rushed to Devamatha Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead from cardiac arrest.
His death marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics, where he was seen as the face of the opposition for more than four decades and a key figure in the struggle for multiparty democracy.
Odinga ran for president five times, most recently in 2022, leaving behind a complex yet impactful political legacy.
In Nairobi, President William Ruto announced seven days of national mourning in honour of the former Prime Minister.
The Kenyan leader ordered all national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country and in diplomatic missions abroad.
Ruto described Odinga as “a patriot who devoted his life to the service of Kenya and Africa,” calling on Kenyans to unite in honouring his legacy of courage, sacrifice, and statesmanship.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the continent, Raila Odinga is being remembered as a fearless democrat, reformist, and visionary leader whose voice shaped Kenya’s political journey for decades.
