Hundreds of Kenyans poured into the streets of Nairobi on Wednesday, holding tree branches and chanting in grief after the death of opposition leader and ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga.<br /><br />The 80-year-old politician, known affectionately as ‘Baba’ (father), died while receiving medical treatment in India’s Kerala state.<br /><br />Footage showed crowds running through the streets, some waving branches, a traditional gesture of mourning, while others shouted Odinga’s name and broke down in tears.<br /><br />“We are sad. We are not good. We have lost our hero, the one and only. We cannot replace him," said one mourner.<br /><br />Another added, "I'm here to celebrate his life and mourn his death."<br /><br />According to reports, Odinga collapsed while walking with his sister, daughter, and personal doctor at an Ayurvedic clinic in Ernakulam district.<br /><br />President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning and announced that Odinga will be honoured with a state funeral.<br /><br />Odinga, the son of Kenya's first vice president, was a central figure in Kenyan politics for more than four decades. He fought for democracy under the authoritarian rule of Daniel arap Moi, spending years in prison and exile during the struggle for multi-party reforms.<br /><br />Since entering parliament in 1992, Odinga ran unsuccessfully for president five times - in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 - each time alleging electoral fraud. Despite never achieving the presidency, he remained one of Kenya’s most influential political figures, known for his ability to mobilise millions and shape national discourse.<br /><br />He served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 under a power-sharing deal following deadly post-election violence, before the role was abolished under Kenya's new constitution.<br /><br />Odinga's death leaves a deep political vacuum in Kenya’s opposition, with no clear successor capable of uniting his broad support base, particularly among the Luo community, as the country looks ahead to the 2027 general election.<br /><br />Follow us on:<br />WhatsApp cutt.ly/WhatsAppCFM<br />https://twitter.com/capitalfmkenya/<br />https://www.facebook.com/capitalfmkenya<br />https://www.instagram.com/capitalfmkenya<br /><br />Subscribe to Capital FM News for More: https://goo.gl/um4AGk<br /><br />98.4 Capital FM<br />93.0 Western Kenya<br />98.5 Nakuru and Nyeri<br />104.5 Malindi<br />102.7 Garissa<br />103.9 Meru<br />106.5 Kitui<br />104.9 Voi<br /><br />#CapitalFmKenya #RIPRailaOdinga
