from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – THE African Union has mourned the passing of former Kenya Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga.
He died in India after a brief illness, aged 80.
The chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said has learnt with profound sadness of the passing.
He extended his condolences to the Odinga family, the government and people of Kenya, and to the entire African family.
“Odinga was a towering figure in Kenya’s political life and a steadfast champion of democracy, good governance, and people-centered development,” Youssouf said.
“His decades-long commitment to justice, pluralism, and democratic reform left an indelible mark not only on Kenya but across the African continent.”
Youssouf added, “He inspired generations of leaders, including myself, and citizens alike through his courage, resilience, and unwavering belief in the power of dialogue and democratic institutions.”
The chairperson added that Odinga’s contributions extended far beyond national borders.
“As the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, he worked tirelessly to advance the continent’s integration and connectivity agenda, helping to lay the foundations for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and broader socio-economic transformation.”
Odinga contested five times for the Kenya presidency, failing on all occasions but hailed as a proponent of democracy.
– CAJ News