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Kenya

Opposition colossus Odinga dies, leaving succession crisis

Millions mourn a man who lost five presidential elections but changed the country, campaigning for political freedoms and constitutional reform

Raila Amolo Odinga, whose activism helped launch multi-party politics in Kenya and reformed the constitution after winning a national referendum, died on 15 October following a heart attack in Kerala, India. With the political class in flux, Odinga’s exit will shake up both the government and opposition parties. It also marks a coda for one of Kenya’s political dynasties. The son of the country’s first Vice-President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila Odinga emerged as leading campaigner for political pluralism and against the authoritarian rule of Daniel arap Moi.

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