Based on reports from the Associated Press, Kenya's "Standard" and other media, Kenya's former prime minister, Raila Ottinga, died at the age of 80 at a hospital in the southern Indian city of Cochin.

Otinga, who was being treated in India, fainted during an outdoor activity with her family on the morning of 15 and was then taken to the hospital. The hospital later stated in a statement that Odinga had a sudden cardiac arrest and died after rescue.Odinga's family confirmed the news.

Raila Ottinga's speech picture (data map)

According to Kenyan national television, Kenyan President Ruto delivered a speech to the nation on the afternoon of 15th to mourn Odinga. He said that Odinga always put Kenya's interests above his personal interests at the critical moment of national development.

Ruth announced, Kenya to hold state funeral for Ottinga, nationwide mourning for seven daysDuring this period, flags will be flown at half-mast throughout Kenya and all missions abroad.

According to multiple media reports, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy, Tanzanian President Hassan, Zambian President Hichilema, Djibouti President Guelleh, Indian Prime Minister Modi, African Union Commission Chairman Yusuf and other dignitaries all sent messages to mourn Odinga on the 15th.

According to Reuters, Many Kenyans call Odinga "Baba", which means "father" in Swahili.

Born in January 1945, Othinga was the son of Kenya¡¯s first vice president after independence in 1964. He studied engineering in the Democratic Republic of Germany (East Germany). He joined Kenya¡¯s National Assembly in 1992, served as the country¡¯s energy minister from 2001 to 2002, and served as Kenya¡¯s prime minister from 2008 to 2014. The Kenya Flag newspaper said he was appointed in 2018 as the senior representative of the African Union for infrastructure development, advocating transcontinental railway construction and energy projects; and he also mediated conflicts in the South Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

Source: China News Agency