Premium

Former Kenyan prime minister Raila Amolo Odinga passes away at Kerala’s Koothattukulam

Odinga, the leader of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, was undergoing treatment at Sreedhareeyam Eye Hospital at Koothattukulam. He died of a cardiac arrest.

Former Kenyan prime minister (X, Raila Odinga)

The Kenyan embassy in Delhi has been informed about the death of Odinga, officials said. Further proceedings will be undertaken with the Embassy. (Photo Credit: X, Raila Odinga)

Former Kenyan prime minister Raila Amolo Odinga died at Kerala’s Koothattukulam following a cardiac arrest Wednesday morning. Odinga has been undergoing treatment at Sreedhareeyam Eye Hospital at Koothattukulam. He was nearly 80.

According to hospital PRO Swaroop, Odinga collapsed during a morning walk and he was rushed to a nearby hospital after administering CPR. However, he died at 9.50 am. His body will be moved to the government medical college hospital for postmortem.

The Kenyan embassy in Delhi has been informed about the death of Odinga, officials said. Further proceedings will be undertaken with the Embassy.

Hospital sources said Odinga had reached the hospital along with his sister, youngest daughter and a security guard on October 10. They were slated to leave the hospital after his eye treatment on this Friday. Odinga had undergone treatment at Sreedhareeyam in the past too.

Leader of ‘Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, Odinga served as prime minister of the country from 2008 to 2013.He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Langata Constituency from 1992 to 2013 and had been Leader of Opposition in Kenya since 2013.

Born at the Anglican Church Missionary Society Hospital in Maseno, Kisumu District, Nyanza Province, on January 7, 1945, Odinga’s father served as the first vice-president of Kenya under President Jomo Kenyatta.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram