PM Modi Mourns Kenyan statesman, Kerala pays homage to Odinga

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid floral tributes to former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Cochin International Airport. Odinga, aged 80, passed away on October 15 in Koothattukulam, Kerala, due to cardiac arrest.

Odinga had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Koothattukulam. On the morning of October 15, he collapsed during a walk within the facility's premises and was rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was declared dead at 9:52 AM IST.

Governor Arlekar laid a wreath on Odinga's mortal remains in the presence of his daughter, Winnie Irmgard Odinga, the High Commissioner of Kenya to India, and senior officials from both the Government of India and the State Government of Kerala. The remains were accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the Kerala Police.

Following the tribute, Odinga's mortal remains were flown to Mumbai on a special Indian Air Force flight. In Mumbai, they were received by a high-level delegation from Kenya, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi. The remains are scheduled to be repatriated to Kenya on another flight.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on the passing of Odinga, describing him as a "cherished friend of India." PM Modi noted that he had known Odinga since his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat and highlighted Odinga's efforts to strengthen India-Kenya relations. In a message on X, the Prime Minister extended his "deepest condolences to his family, friends, and to the people of Kenya in this hour of grief."

Raila Odinga served as Kenya's Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013. He represented the Langata constituency as a Member of Parliament from 1992, served as Minister of Energy from 2001 to 2002, and as Minister of Roads, Public Works, and Housing from 2003 to 2005. He was also the Chairman of the Orange Democratic Movement, a leading political party in Kenya.

India and Kenya share maritime boundaries and have developed robust, multi-faceted bilateral relations, marked by regular high-level visits, growing trade and investment, and extensive people-to-people contacts.

In Kenya, President William Ruto has declared a period of national mourning in honour of Odinga. He hailed Odinga as the "father of Kenyan democracy" for his role in fighting authoritarianism and contributing to the 2010 constitution. A state funeral is scheduled to be held on October 19 in Kenya.