Former Kenyan premier Raila Odinga, a key figure in African democracy efforts, dies at 80

Raila Odinga, a former prime minister of Kenya and perennial presidential candidate whose populist campaigns challenged one-party rule, rattled authorities and gave him outsized influence on political life in the East African country, died Wednesday of a heart attack while traveling in India. He was 80.

His death was confirmed by Devamatha Hospital in Kerala State, where he was taken after he collapsed during a morning walk. A hospital statement said Odinga didn’t respond to resuscitation efforts.

There were somber scenes at his home in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where mourners included national leaders. Tributes cited his commitment to democracy.

President William Ruto declared a seven-day mourning period during which national flags will fly at half-staff, calling Odinga’s death an “immense and immeasurable loss.” Odinga will have a state funeral, Ruto said.

Odinga had recently signed a political pact with Ruto that saw his opposition party involved in government policy-making