15 October 2025, Nairobi, Kenya: Amnesty International Kenya expresses its condolences following the passing of Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, and a former Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience. Mr. Odinga died this morning in India, at the age of 80, following a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment.
Raila Odinga’s legacy is best defined by his commitment to justice, democracy, and the rule of law. Detained without trial multiple times during the one-party era , Mr. Odinga was recognized by Amnesty International as a Prisoner of Conscience in 1991 for his peaceful advocacy for multiparty democracy and constitutional reform. His activism and resilience contributed to the growth of human rights movements in Kenya and across the region.
Throughout his four-decade political career, Mr. Odinga continued to speak out for the marginalized and the oppressed. He played a pivotal role in Kenya’s transition to multiparty democracy in the early 1990s and was instrumental in the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, which enshrined key human rights protections and expanded civic freedoms.
As Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, Mr. Odinga led efforts to heal a divided nation following the post-election violence of 2007–08. He contributed to national dialogue and reform efforts during a critical period in Kenya’s history. Even in opposition, he continued to champion electoral justice, institutional accountability, and inclusive governance.
Amnesty International honors Raila Odinga not only as a political leader but as a human rights defender whose sacrifices and vision helped shape Kenya’s social justice landscape. His legacy will endure in the freedoms enjoyed by millions of Kenyans today. His legacy remains in Kenya’s ongoing pursuit of justice, accountability, and human rights.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mama Ida Odinga, his family, the people of Kenya and all those around the world who were inspired by his lifelong struggle for justice. Rest in Power.
Signed
Irungu Houghton
Amnesty International Kenya Section Director
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