Raila Odinga’s Death Leaves Kenyan Politics in State of Flux

The death of Raila Odinga, a towering leadership figure in Kenya for more than three decades, looks set to fundamentally alter the country’s political landscape and test the cohesion of the fragile ruling alliance.

Odinga, who died at the age of 80 in India on Wednesday, made five unsuccessful runs at the presidency and served as prime minister in a coalition government that was formed in 2008 after a disputed election. As leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, he entered into an alliance with President William Ruto last year to end a standoff over the contested outcome of a 2022 vote, overriding objections from within his own party.