International condolences pour in, cementing Raila’s global networks

International condolence messages following the death of Raila Odinga have continued to pour in days after his death, underscoring his far-reaching influence and the extensive diplomatic networks he built over decades as Kenya’s most prominent political figure.

From Washington to Addis Ababa, tributes have poured in from world leaders, diplomats and international organisations, hailing Raila as a towering African democrat who shaped Kenya’s politics and inspired movements across the continent.

The veteran politician died Wednesday in India, where he was receiving treatment, aged 80. 

Outside Africa, among those who eulogised the former ODM leader was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said he had known Raila since his days as Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001-14).

In honour of his long-time friend, PM Modi facilitated the repatriation of Raila’s remains from Kochi to Mumbai using an Airforce helicopter.

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman and Idaho Republican Senator Jim Risch eulogised Raila as “someone who dedicated his life to peace and freedom throughout Africa, despite enduring great personal hardship”.

“He engaged openly and honestly on every aspect of the US-Kenya bilateral relationship and was a true friend to America,” he added.

All presidents from the East African Community sent in their condolence messages, including Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, who had earlier endorsed his unsuccessful bid for the AU Commission chairmanship.

Regional organisations EAC and Igad as well as the African Union also sent their condolences. 

His long-time ally Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, mourned him as a patriotic and selfless leader, whom he knew and worked with as “a friend and brother”.

“Raila Odinga was committed to the development of his own nation as well prosperity and the silencing of the guns on our continent, as evidenced by his appointment by the African Union to advance peace in Côte d’Ivoire in 2010,” he said.

“He remained unwaveringly true to his principles and vision in the face of deep personal sacrifice and obstacles, and remained a leader who placed the interests of his country and continent first.”

His long-time opposition politics ally President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, who equally vied for the presidency five times, also sent in his condolence message, eulogising him as a towering advocate for democracy.

Raila’s network was further wired from Southern Africa to West Africa. The Gambia President Adama Barrow and Sierra Leonne’s Julius Bio also mourned the veteran leader.

Former Nigerian President and equally a close ally of many years Olusegun Obasanjo was a close contact, and is believed to have been the dealmaker with President William Ruto.

Obasanjo was also on the frontline in campaigning for Raila’s AUC bid.

Equally, former Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo said Raila was “a very good friend of mine for a long time”, adding that he had pledged Accra’s support for him in the AUC race.

Raila was also a respected figure in Germany, where he studied mechanical engineering, and in Norway, where he fled to avoid being detained by President Daniel Moi in the early 1990s.

The former PM was also wired into global organisations, with former UN Undersecretary and UN-Habitat executive director Anna Tibaijuka mourning him as an iconic political monument.

UNAids executive director Winnie Byanyima, the wife of veteran Uganda opposition leader Kizza Besigye and former AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina, also mourned Raila.

WHO head Tedros Ghebreyesus also honoured the former PM, while Commonwealth assistant secretary general Luis Franceschi said he would always remember his generosity of spirit at the Marlborough House dialogue. At the forum in London, Raila spoke on democracy and peace in Africa.

Chinese Ambassdor Guo Haiyan described Raila as an old friend of the Chinese people who made significant contributions to advancing bilateral relations and promoting friendly exchanges between the two states.

A significant number of heads of state and government also attended the State Funeral service at Nyayo Stadium, with DP Kidiki Kithure saying they had received official messages of condolences from the EAC, Africa and other continents.

Political commentator Alex Matere noted that Raila had a deep international network, a good worldview and intellectual prowess.

“Very few people would take a flight and go to give a lecture at Harvard, proceed to California and other universities as he did during the three months he was away in America, giving lectures at Ivy League universities,” he said.