Ruto declares 7 days of mourning Raila Odinga
President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Addressing the nation from State House on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, hours after the news of Raila’s death was confirmed, President Ruto said Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s political journey and democratic reforms will be remembered for generations.
You might also like
Elsewhere, Bondo residents are mourning the death of the ODM leader at his Opoda home in Siaya County.
“In honour of Raila Odinga, I have declared 7 days of national mourning, during which our national flag shall fly at half mast across the country and all our missions abroad,” Ruto said.
He noted that Raila’s vision and courage helped shape the course of the nation’s history, guiding Kenya through some of its most defining moments. He described the late leader as a pioneer of Kenyan politics and a steadfast champion of democracy.
Also watch: Thousands of Kisumu residents took to the streets to mourn ODM leader.
The President hailed him as a once-in-a-generation leader whose influence extended far beyond politics. He described him as a giant in Kenya’s democratic landscape and a true statesman whose legacy will continue to inspire unity, justice, and progress.
“A beacon of courage, a tower of principle, and a father of our democracy,” Ruto expressed.
Raila Odinga, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013, passed away on Wednesday at an Ayurvedic eye hospital and research centre in Koothattukulam, Kerala, India.
He died aged 80 years old.
His death has plunged the country into deep mourning, with tributes pouring in from across Kenya and beyond.
