By Ugandan lawmakers have paid tribute to the late former Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Amollo Odinga, lauding his Pan Africanism spirit and his enduring influence on democracy across Africa.
Odinga, who died in India on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, reportedly from cardiac arrest, was laid to rest on Sunday, 19 October, in his ancestral home in Bondo, near Lake Victoria in Western Kenya. He was 80 years old.
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During Monday’s parliamentary plenary, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa described Odinga as a “true statesman, a Pan Africanist and a good friend of Uganda.” He praised Odinga’s contributions to promoting democracy and regional cooperation across Africa. “We shall miss him. Our condolences to the people of Kenya, Africa, and the world at large,” Tayebwa said.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, highlighted Odinga’s unwavering commitment to Kenya’s democracy, calling him a “political giant” despite not achieving the presidency. “His contribution to Kenya’s democracy is indelible. We sympathize with his family and the people of Kenya,” Ssenyonyi said.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Nobert Mao, emphasized Odinga’s role in fostering East African integration. “In previous parliaments, there were two bodies: the Great Lakes Parliamentary Forum on Peace and the Parliamentary Network on World Bank. The late Raila Odinga was a key promoter of these initiatives,” Mao said.
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Tororo District Woman Representative, Hon. Sarah Opendi, praised Odinga’s influence on Kenyan politics, noting that “no president ruled Kenya without engaging with Odinga, commonly referred to as Baba.” She added that his advocacy for regional infrastructural development, notably the Standard Gauge Railway, leaves a lasting legacy.
Odinga’s political career spanned decades, including serving as Prime Minister in 2008. He was known for forming alliances across party lines, partnering with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 and incumbent President William Ruto in 2024. An avid opposition leader, he remained a central figure in Kenya’s political landscape until his passing.
