By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzania and the entire East African region are mourning the death of Raila Amolo Odinga, Kenya’s long-time opposition leader and former Prime Minister, who passed away at the age of 80 while receiving medical treatment in India.
Odinga’s family confirmed the news on Wednesday, marking the end of a political era for a man who, for decades, shaped not only Kenya’s democratic journey but also regional politics across East Africa.
For many Tanzanians, Raila Odinga was more than just a Kenyan politician – he was a symbol of resilience, democracy, and Pan-African solidarity. His legacy resonates beyond Kenya’s borders, having frequently engaged with Tanzanian leaders and supported joint regional integration efforts under the East African Community (EAC).
A towering political figure
Raila Odinga’s political career spanned over four decades, during which he ran for Kenya’s presidency five times – in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022 – coming close to victory on multiple occasions. Despite the defeats, he remained a towering figure of opposition politics and a relentless voice for electoral justice and reform.
The 2007 post-election violence, one of Kenya’s darkest chapters, followed Odinga’s disputed loss to then-President Mwai Kibaki. The turmoil left more than 1,200 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. It was through the mediation of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that a coalition government was formed, with Odinga appointed as Prime Minister – a compromise that helped restore stability.
In 2017, the Kenyan Supreme Court vindicated Odinga when it annulled the results of that year’s presidential election, citing irregularities. However, he boycotted the rerun, insisting on deeper electoral reforms.
A friend to Tanzania and the region
Odinga’s political life was deeply intertwined with Tanzania’s history. He often acknowledged Tanzania’s role in the liberation movements across Africa and maintained close ties with Tanzanian leaders, including the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, whose principles of equality and Pan-African unity he admired.
He championed regional integration, seeing the EAC not merely as a trade bloc but as a path toward shared prosperity and political stability.
Tanzanian political commentators have described Odinga’s death as a loss not only to Kenya but to the entire region, recalling his consistent calls for democracy, youth empowerment, and good governance in Africa.
The people’s “Baba”
To millions of Kenyans, Odinga was affectionately known as “Baba” (Father), “Agwambo” (Act of God), and “Tinga” (Tractor) – nicknames that reflected his enduring bond with ordinary citizens and his political might.
He was celebrated as a master mobiliser and gifted orator, capable of uniting masses around the ideals of justice and equality. His political rallies often drew vast crowds filled with emotion and devotion.
A lifetime of struggle
Odinga’s commitment to democratic freedoms came at great personal cost. He was Kenya’s longest-serving political detainee, imprisoned for nearly a decade during President Daniel arap Moi’s one-party rule. His arrests in the 1980s were linked to an attempted coup in 1982, an event that propelled him into national prominence.
Despite the hardships, he emerged as a symbol of resistance and reform, advocating for multi-party democracy, constitutional change, and human rights.
A legacy that transcends borders
In recent years, Odinga had taken a more reconciliatory tone, joining President William Ruto in a unity initiative following a wave of protests in 2023 that had turned deadly. He also vied, unsuccessfully, for the African Union Commission Chairmanship earlier this year – a move backed by several regional governments, including Tanzania.
As Tanzania reflects on Raila Odinga’s life, his story stands as a reminder of the cost and courage of leadership in Africa’s struggle for democracy. Rest in peace, Baba – the man who taught a continent that democracy is worth fighting for.
