The Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, southern India, confirmed that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away there on Wednesday, collapsed during a morning walk.
“Considering all the circumstances, we performed continuous CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation ). Despite our very sincere and persistent efforts, including other medical measures, we were unable to save him. We are deeply sorry to inform you that he is no longer with us.
“Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his family and the Kenyan people,” a Cardiologist Dr Alphônš as quoted by Reuters, said.
Local police and hospital officials confirmed that the former prime minister suffered a heart attack. Odinga was a central figure in Kenyan and African politics, having led five unsuccessful presidential campaigns as opposition leader between 1997 and 2022.
An Indian police official told the AFP news agency that Odinga had been on a morning walk, accompanied by his sister, daughter, a personal doctor, and Indian and Kenyan security officers, when he collapsed.
“He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead,” said Krishnan M, additional superintendent of police in Ernakulam, Kerala.
Indian newspaper Mathrubhumi had earlier reported the death, adding that Odinga had been undergoing medical treatment in the state’s Kochi city.
According to a video clip shared by Reuters, his remains were seen being wheeled out of the hospital on a hospital gurney while wrapped in a green cloth.
Kenya is set to honour the late former Prime Minister with a State funeral, President William Ruto announced on Wednesday.
Speaking while addressing the nation from State House, Nairobi, President Ruto said Kenya enters seven days of mourning, during which all official engagements are suspended and flags across the country, including at State House, government offices, military bases, and diplomatic missions, will fly at half-mast.
"I have declared a seven-day period of national mourning, during which the national flag shall fly at half-mast across the Republic of Kenya and in all our missions abroad. 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 so that we can join the nation in this period of mourning and deep reflection our former prime minister, Raila Amolo Odinga shall be accorded a state funeral with all attendant owners in consultation with the family," Dr Ruto said
