Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing him as a brother, ally, and patriot whose voice defined Kenya’s political journey.
In a moving statement shared on Tuesday, Kenyatta said the news of Raila’s passing had left him “with a grief that is both profound and deeply personal.”
He reflected on their long political relationship that began as rivalry but evolved into mutual respect and partnership during Kenya’s search for unity.
“To me, Raila was more than a political colleague; he was a defining part of my own journey,” Kenyatta stated. “We were navigators on opposing currents, yet in the end, we found common ground in our love for Kenya.”
He recalled how the two leaders, once fierce competitors, came together through the 2018 Handshake, marking a turning point in Kenya’s reconciliation process.
Kenyatta hailed Odinga as a man of conviction who sharpened the country’s political debate and challenged others to think critically.
He noted that their friendship deepened in later years, guided by shared patriotism and a desire for a united Kenya.
“I have lost a friend and a brother,” he wrote, adding that he would miss their “challenging but always insightful conversations.”
The former president extended condolences to Mama Ida Odinga, their children, and the wider Odinga family, acknowledging their sacrifice in sharing Raila with the nation.
“We have lost a father to the nation, a steadfast champion for the people, and a true son of Kenya,” he said.
Raila Odinga died on Monday morning in Kerala, India, after suffering cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment at Devamatha Hospital.
Doctors confirmed he collapsed during a morning walk and could not be revived. His body is expected to be flown back to Kenya later this week for state arrangements.
Across the country, tributes have poured in from political leaders and citizens.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga called Odinga “a patriot and democrat who shaped the country’s democratic fabric,” while crowds gathered in Bondo and Nairobi to honor him.
Uhuru’s message stands out for its emotional tone and historical reflection, capturing the transformation of two men once divided by politics but united by purpose.
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