Raila Odinga Death: President Ruto’s Address to the Nation [FULL TEXT SPEECH]

President William Ruto has mourned the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 80.

Speaking during an address at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday afternoon, President William Ruto described Odinga as a “one in a generation” leader and declared seven days on mourning, during which flags will fly at half-mast. 

Here is Ruto’s full Speech

To the People of the Republic of Kenya;

IT IS WITH profound sorrow and the deepest sense of loss that I discharge my solemn duty to notify Kenya, Africa, and the World of the passing of The Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya.

THE RT. HON. RAILA AMOLO ODINGA passed away this morning in India, where he was receiving medical treatment.

BORN ON 7th January, 1945, Raila Odinga dedicated his entire adult life to the service of our nation. The father of our democracy, a tireless champion for social justice, a renowned Pan-Africanist, and a statesman without equal, Hon. Raila Odinga played a defining role in shaping Kenya’s modern political history.

HON. RAILA ODINGA’S name is etched indelibly in the annals of our Republic’s journey towards greater freedom, democracy, and prosperity. As we mourn this immeasurable loss, we recall that his was a voice that fearlessly spoke truth to power, championed reform, and summoned us always to the higher ideals of nationhood.

WITH ETERNAL GRATITUDE, the nation remembers Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s patriotic journey in the service of our country. This journey made him the most consequential figure in the Second Liberation of our Republic, and the torchbearer in our march toward the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

AS A UNIVERSITY lecturer, a Member of Parliament on both sides of the aisle of the National Assembly, a Cabinet Minister, the de facto Leader of the Official Opposition, and as the 2nd Prime Minister of the Republic, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga was the very embodiment of patriotism and selfless servant-leadership. His unwavering belief in Kenya’s potential and his lifelong commitment to justice and equity will endure as an inspiration to generations of Kenyans yet unborn.

WE HONOUR AND REMEMBER the values by which he lived, his dignity, diligence, candour, courage, and profound concern for the well-being of all Kenyans. IN HIS PASSING, our nation, our continent, and our world have lost a titan of conscience, a visionary of uncommon resolve, and a defender of the defenceless whose legacy will illuminate Kenya’s democratic path for all time.

THE FORMER Prime Minister’s central role in shepherding Kenya into a new constitutional dispensation is a towering legacy that immortalises him. Kenya is undoubtedly a much better place today because of the struggles, sacrifice, leadership, vision, and courage of a son of the soil, who never tired in the pursuit of a better Kenya.

AS WE MOURN THE PASSING of an icon, we rejoice in the lifelong companionship he enjoyed with his beloved wife, Mama Idah Odinga, and his extended family. Our sincere sympathy to his children – Rosemary Odinga, Raila Odinga Junior, Winnie Odinga and their families, the entire Oginga Odinga family and to all Kenyans. As the former Prime Minister served Kenya, Africa, and the world, he remained a deeply devoted family man, an avid football enthusiast, and an earnest friend to many.

IN HONOUR OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER RAILA AMOLO ODINGA, and on behalf of a grateful nation, I, WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT: –

I. THAT, in testimony of the highest esteem in which all Kenyans hold the person and the memory of Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until sunset of the day of his interment.

II. THAT Prime Minister Raila Odinga shall be accorded a State Funeral, with military honours and the attendant State protocols being rendered and observed;

THAT the flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at State House and all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings and public grounds, all military bases, posts, and stations on all naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and however elsewhere throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya, from today until sunset on the day of his interment; and

IV.THAT the President, the Deputy-President, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate, Kenya’s diplomats abroad, and whomsoever else is so authorised by law, shall not fly the national flag on their official motor vehicles from today until sunset on the day of his interment.

May Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s family be comforted; may his memory be honoured; and may his example be emulated.