NAIROBI, Kenya – The nation continues to mourn the passing of Raila Odinga, Kenya’s veteran opposition leader and former prime minister, who died on October 15, 2025. His death, resulting from a cardiac arrest while he was receiving treatment in India, has prompted an outpouring of grief and tribute from across the political spectrum.
In a significant show of respect, the Council of Governors visited Odinga’s family home in Bondo on October 25 to console his widow, Ida Odinga, and other family members. During the visit, leaders from the country’s 47 counties paid homage to Odinga’s foundational role in shaping modern Kenya, specifically honoring him as the architect of the devolved system of government.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and Siaya Governor James Orengo were among those who led the praises, formally bestowing upon the late leader the title ‘Father of Devolution.’ They credited his relentless advocacy and political vision for the establishment of county governments, which have fundamentally altered the nation’s governance structure since their inception.
The period of national mourning has been accompanied by a wave of unverified claims on social media. Some posts alleged that Odinga was poisoned with ricin, a toxic substance. However, these rumors have been firmly debunked by independent fact-checking organizations, which have confirmed the official cause of death as cardiac arrest, with no evidence to support the poisoning allegations.
As Kenya comes to terms with the loss of one of its most prominent political figures, the focus remains on celebrating his complex legacy, particularly his pivotal contribution to the devolution system that continues to define local governance.
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