KOCHI: Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga died in Kerala on Wednesday morning following an alleged cardiac arrest. He was 80 and had been undergoing treatment at an Ayurvedic hospital in Koothattukulam, Kerala.
According to hospital sources, Odinga collapsed during his morning walk on Wednesday. “He was on his morning walk and suddenly collapsed. Despite being rushed to Deva Matha Hospital, he was declared dead at 9:52 a.m.,” said an official at Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment.
He was accompanied by his daughter, sister, and a personal doctor, and had arrived at the facility about a week ago after receiving treatment at a hospital in Mumbai.
“He was suffering from multiple conditions and was under treatment at a hospital in Mumbai, after which he came here to visit. The body is kept at Deva Matha Hospital. We have informed the Ministry of External Affairs and the Kenyan Embassy, and further steps will be taken according to the instructions,” added the official.
Raila Odinga represented the Langata Constituency in the Parliament of Kenya from 1992 to 2013 and served as the Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013. He organised multiple protests for the introduction of multiparty democracy in 1991 and a new constitution in 2010. He was the leader of the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party.