Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Kenya over the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
The President, in a statement released on Wednesday, extolled Mr Odinga as a towering figure in African politics, whose lifelong commitment to democracy, justice, and national unity left an indelible mark on Kenya and across Africa.
He said the former Prime Minister’s courage in the face of adversity, his resilience in pursuing electoral reforms, and his unwavering belief in the people’s power will remain sources of inspiration for generations to come.
Tinubu also stated that as a statesman of international repute and a freedom fighter, Mr Odinga embodied the spirit of Pan-Africanism and was a steadfast advocate for inclusive governance and regional cooperation.
According to him, “His legacy will endure in the institutions he helped to shape and the democratic ideals he championed. We mourn with Kenya in this moment of national grief.
We also stand in solidarity with you, President William Ruto, as you lead your nation through this painful chapter. “May the memory of Raila Odinga continue to guide Kenya towards peace, unity, and progress,” the President concluded.
Meanwhile, the ex-Prime Minister, Odinga passed away on Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment in Kochi, India. He reportedly collapsed during a morning walk at an Ayurvedic hospital where he had been receiving care.
Doctors at the Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam confirmed that the former Prime Minister suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 9:52 a.m. (Indian Time). His body is currently being preserved at the facility as formalities are handled.
The report revealed further that the former Prime Minister had travelled to India with his daughter Rosemary Odinga, who was receiving Ayurvedic treatment at Sreedhareeyam Hospital, the same facility that had previously helped her regain partial eyesight.
Odinga spent many years as an opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago. In recent weeks, there has been speculation about his health, although family members and political allies had dismissed reports suggesting he was critically ill.
