Former Kenyan PM Raila Odinga undergoing treatment in Kerala dies at 80

Thiruvananthapuram: Former prime minister of Kenya Raila Odinga, who was undergoing treatment in Kerala, died on Wednesday morning.

Odinga (80), reportedly collapsed by around 8 am while on a morning walk at the Sreedhareeyam ayurvedic eye hospital and research centre at Koothatukulam on the suburbs of Kochi. Though he was rushed to a nearby hospital he breathed his last by 9.52 am.

The body will be subjected to postmortem examination. Kenyan embassy officials will receive the body.

Hospital sources said that Odingo, who is the present Opposition leader, was accompanied by daughter, sister and a personal doctor. He reached the hospital on Friday for treatment for recovery from a minor stroke suffered while in Kenya.

He was in a wheelchair when he reached the hospital. Following the last few days of treatment he was showing improvement by walking short distances.

Odingo's daughter Rosemary had earlier undergone treatment at the same ayurvedic hospital at Koothatukulam on the suburbs of Kochi. for vision ailments. She had recovered vision following treatment in 2019.

Odingo had also visited the hospital earlier as part of his daughter's treatment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had even highlighted it in a 'Mann Ki Baat'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the death of former PM of Kenya Raila Odinga and hailed him as a towering statesman and a cherished friend of India.

"Deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and former Prime Minister of Kenya, Mr. Raila Odinga. He was a towering statesman and a cherished friend of India," Modi said in a post on X.

Modi said he had the privilege of knowing Odinga closely since his days as the chief minister of Gujarat and their association continued over the years.

"He had a special affection for India, our culture, values and ancient wisdom. This was reflected in his efforts to strengthen India-Kenya ties," Modi said.

"He particularly admired Ayurveda and traditional medicine systems of India, having witnessed their positive impact on his daughter's health. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and to the people of Kenya in this hour of grief," the prime minister said.