Raila Odinga Biography
Raila Amolo Odinga, born on 7 January 1945 and died on 15 October 2025, was a Kenyan politician who served as the Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Langata Constituency from 1992 to 2013 and was the Leader of the Opposition in Kenya from 2013 on, and was also the leader of Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party. Raila ran for President of Kenya five times, with none of his trials being successful. Each time, he alleged electoral fraud.
Raila Odinga Facts.
- Name: Raila Amolo Odinga
- Birthplace: Maseno, Kisumu District, Nyanza Province
- Occupation: Politician
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Race: Black
- Religion: Christian
- Sexuality: Straight
- Gender: Male.
Raila Odinga Age
Odinga was 80 years old at the time of his death, he was born on 7 January 1945 at the Anglican Church Missionary Society Hospital in Maseno, Kisumu District, Nyanza Province. He celebrated his birthday on January 7th every year, and his birth sign was Capricorn.
Raila Odinga Height
Raila Odinga stood at an average height. His precise height and other body measurements were currently publicly not available.
Raila Odinga Weight
Raila had a moderate weight.
Educational Background
Raila was born on 7 January 1945 at the Anglican Church Missionary Society Hospital in Maseno, Kisumu District, Nyanza Province, to his parents, Mary Juma Odinga and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. His father served as the first Vice President of Kenya under President Jomo Kenyatta. He served as a member of the Luo ethnic group.
Based on his education, he went to Kisumu Union Primary, Maranda Primary in Bondo, and Maranda High School, where he studied until 1962, when he was transferred by his father to Germany. He also spent the next two years at the Herder Institution, which trained foreign students in the German language and was part of the philological faculty at the University of Leipzig in East Germany. Later, he received a scholarship that in 1965 sent him to the Technische Hochschule (technical college) of Magdeburg (now a part of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg) in the GDR. In 1970, he graduated with a certificate in Welding.
While studying in East Germany during the Cold War as a Kenyan, he was able to visit West Berlin through Checkpoint Charlie, and he used to smuggle goods not available in East Berlin and bring them to his friends in East Germany.
Raila Odinga Parents
Odinga was the son of Mary Juma Odinga (Mother), and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (father). His father was a Kenyan politician who became a prominent figure in Kenya’s struggle for independence. He served as Kenya’s first vice-president, and thereafter as opposition leader.
Raila Odinga Siblings
Raila had three siblings: two sisters, Ruth Odinga and Dr. Wenwa Akinyi Odinga, and a brother, Oburu Odinga. His older brother, Oburu Odinga, is a seasoned politician and current Senator for Siaya County, and Ruth Odinga is currently the Women’s Representative for Kisumu County.
Raila Odinga Wife
Odinga was married to his beloved wife, Ida Odinga (Ida Anyango Oyoo), a Kenyan businesswoman, activist, and educator. The couple lived in Karen, Nairobi, and have a second home at Central Farm in Siaya County. They had their wedding in 1973, and together they were blessed with four children: two daughters, Rosemary (born 1977) and Winnie (born 1990), and two sons, Raila Jr. (born 1979), and Fidel (1973–2015).
Raila Odinga Children
The couple had four children: two daughters, Rosemary (born 1977) and Winnie (born 1990), and two sons, Raila Jr. (born 1979) and Fidel (1973–2015). Fidel was named after Fidel Castro, and Winnie after Winnie Mandela. Winnie is currently studying Communication and International Area Studies as a double major student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She is also a Kenyan representative at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Raila Odinga Net Worth
Raila Odinga’s net worth was estimated to be around KSh 10 billion. His main source of income was his successful career as a Politician. Raila’s net worth reflected his financial success and the value he had created throughout his career. It encompasses various assets, investments, and income streams contributing to his overall economic standing.
Breaking News: Cause of Death
- Raila Amolo Odinga, a Kenyan opposition leader, died on 15 October 2025 from cardiac arrest after he collapsed while walking at an Ayurvedic hospital where he had been seeking medical treatment at Koothattukulam in Kerala, India.
- 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. The time of pronouncement is reported as around 9:52 a.m. Indian time.
- “He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead,” said Krishnan M, additional superintendent of police in Ernakulam, Kerala. Unnamed officials in Odinga’s office also confirmed the death to news agencies. Also, Indian newspaper Mathrubhumi had earlier reported the death, adding that Odinga had been undergoing medical treatment in the state’s Kochi city.
- As news of the death broke in Kenya, President William Ruto visited the Odinga family home in Nairobi’s wealthy Karen suburb and hundreds of the late politician’s supporters, many of them crying and waving twigs to ward off bad omens, also made their way to the the home to pay their respects, the Reuters news agency reported.
Raila Odinga’s Previous Offices
- African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development 2018-2023
- Prime Minister of Kenya 2008-2013
- Minister of Roads, Public Works, and Housing of Kenya 2003-2005
- Cabinet Secretary for Energy of Kenya 2001-2002
- Member of the National Assembly of Kenya 1992-2013
Who is the mother of Raila Odinga?
Raila’s mother was Mary Juma Odinga.