His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom has formally conveyed a heartfelt message of condolence to the Government of Kenya and the family of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, two months after the statesman’s passing. The message was delivered on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at State House, Nairobi, by the UK’s Chargé d’Affaires, Ed Barnett, to President William Ruto.
In his message, King Charles expressed a deep sense of loss at the former Kenyan prime minister’s death and extended his sincere sympathy not only to Odinga’s immediate family but also to the people of Kenya, recognizing the profound impact the leader had on his country’s political landscape. The monarch highlighted Odinga’s steadfast leadership and his enduring commitment to democratic values, national cohesion, and social justice ; qualities that defined his long career in public service.
Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan and African politics for decades, passed away on 15 October 2025 in Kerala, India, at the age of 80, while receiving medical treatment. He collapsed during a routine morning walk and suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Kenya observed a state funeral and a period of national mourning in his honour.
📰 Also Read This:
World leaders, regional bodies, and institutions also joined in mourning the former prime minister. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Odinga as a “towering statesman and a cherished friend of India,” while the African Union Commission hailed him as one of Africa’s visionary sons and extended its deepest condolences to his family and the Kenyan nation.
President Ruto, during the state funeral at Nyayo National Stadium, paid tribute to Odinga’s lifelong dedication to the country and thanked the Odinga family for their sacrifice, acknowledging the former prime minister’s role in shaping Kenya’s democratic journey.
King Charles’s message adds to a growing chorus of international respect and recognition for Odinga’s legacy, underscoring the late leader’s significant influence on governance, democratic reform, and regional diplomacy across East Africa and beyond.
