Kenya’s president, William Ruto has declared 7 days of national mourning following the death of the country’s former prime minister, Raila Odinga.
Odinga, who served as Kenya’s prime minister between 2008 and 2013 died on Wednesday, in India aged 80.
The veteran opposition leader was key in Kenya’s fight for multi-party democracy, attracting multiple arrests and detentions.
Kenya’s president, William Ruto, announcing the death described him as a “giant of democracy, a beacon of courage and a tower of principles.”
“In honor of his extraordinary contribution to our nation, I have declared 7 days of national mourning, during which all national flags will fly at half mast. As a mark of respect, i have postponed all my public engagements for the coming days and I ask all other public servants and leaders to do the same,” Ruto said in a national address.
A government delegation is leaving immediately from Kenya to India to facilitate the repatriation of Odinga’s remains for a state burial.
Raila Odinga is recognized as a veteran opposition figure in Kenya, with nearly 3 decades of active opposition.
