Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has passed away in Kerala, India, after suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday morning. According to officials at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Koothattukulam, where he had been receiving Ayurvedic treatment for the past five days, Odinga collapsed during a morning walk within the hospital premises. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:52 a.m. (Indian time).
Hospital authorities confirmed that Raila Odinga was accompanied by his daughter and personal doctor during his stay in Kerala. His body is currently being preserved at the hospital, awaiting further arrangements. Officials have stated that the body will be embalmed, and subsequent steps will be taken in coordination with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Kenyan Embassy in New Delhi to facilitate repatriation to Kenya.
Raila Odinga’s visit to the facility held deep personal significance. His connection to the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital dates back to 2017, when his daughter, Rosemary Odinga, lost her vision due to optic nerve damage. After undergoing treatment at the same centre in 2019, she regained her sight—a development that led the former Prime Minister to publicly express his gratitude to the hospital’s physicians and staff for their care and success in her recovery.
The news of his sudden passing has sent shockwaves across Kenya and beyond. As one of the most influential figures in the country’s political history, Raila Odinga’s contributions spanned decades of leadership, reform advocacy, and efforts toward national unity. His passing marks the end of an era for a statesman whose vision and resilience shaped Kenya’s democratic journey and inspired millions across Africa.
Global leaders, political allies, and citizens alike are expected to pay tribute to his legacy in the coming days. His life and leadership remain emblematic of Kenya’s struggle for political inclusivity, justice, and development. The world mourns a leader whose dedication to his country transcended politics and whose influence will continue to shape Kenya’s national narrative for generations to come.
