Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga (left) beside GPF Founder Dr. Hyun Jin P. Moon (right).
Washington DC | October 16, 2025
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) joins the people of Kenya, the African continent, and the global community in mourning the passing of Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, a statesman, freedom fighter, and lifelong champion of democracy, peace, and justice.
Mr. Odinga’s enduring friendship and partnership with the Global Peace Foundation reflected his deep belief in dialogue, reconciliation, and the shared vision of “One Family under God.” His leadership journey, defined by courage and compassion, resonates profoundly with GPF’s mission to build ethical societies rooted in universal principles and values.
A Partner in the Work of Peace
Raila Odinga’s peacebuilding work spanned decades. As early as 1998, he played a key role in hosting a Global Peace Festival in Nairobi, which brought together Kenyans from diverse faiths and communities to affirm the power of unity and shared purpose. His message then, that peace and development are inseparable, became a hallmark of his public life.
In 2010, as Kenya’s Prime Minister, Mr. Odinga graciously hosted the Global Peace Convention in Nairobi, where he welcomed global leaders, peacebuilders, and faith representatives to explore pathways toward national transformation. His words at the opening ceremony underscored his conviction that peace is not a passive state but an active commitment to justice and inclusion.
He continued to walk alongside GPF in subsequent years. In 2015, he served as a member of the African Leadership Mission during the Global Peace Leadership Conference in Zanzibar, and later that same year, he participated in the One Korea Global Peace Conference, echoing his earlier appeal for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula. His presence lent moral weight to the global call for reconciliation between North and South Korea, a cause championed by GPF’s founder and chairman, Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon, with whom Mr. Odinga shared a personal friendship and mutual respect.
A Statesman of Reconciliation
Raila Odinga will be remembered not only for his leadership in Kenya’s struggle for democracy but also for his unmatched capacity for forgiveness and consensus-building.
After the disputed 2007 presidential election, Mr. Odinga chose the difficult path of peace. Though the Electoral Commission declared his opponent the winner and the nation plunged into turmoil, he set aside personal grievance and entered into a power-sharing agreement that helped restore stability to Kenya. This moment marked the beginning of his reputation as a man of handshake diplomacy, a leader who, time and again, reached out to his rivals for the sake of national unity.
In subsequent years, following every contested election, Raila Odinga demonstrated an unwavering commitment to dialogue. His historic “handshake” with President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 reaffirmed his belief that Kenya’s peace was greater than political ambition. His humility and wisdom served as a powerful lesson to leaders across Africa and beyond.
A Believer in Faith and Freedom
Mr. Odinga’s respect for religious freedom and his openness to interfaith collaboration made him a natural ally of the Global Peace Foundation’s multifaith peacebuilding approach. He understood that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through politics alone, it must be anchored in moral and spiritual principles that affirm the dignity of every human being as a child of the same Creator.
A Legacy That Lives On
Raila Odinga’s life was a testimony to perseverance, patriotism, and the power of reconciliation. His courage in the face of injustice, his empathy for the marginalized, and his tireless advocacy for democracy have left an indelible mark on Kenya and the world.
As we honor his memory, we extend our deepest condolences to Mama Ida Odinga, the Odinga family, the Government of Kenya, and all those who believed in his ideals and leadership. We also remember his many friends and partners in peace across Africa and the globe who were touched by his vision and humanity.
The Global Peace Foundation will continue to advance the cause that Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga so passionately believed in, the realization of a world where all people live together as One Family under God, in harmony, respect, and shared prosperity.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire generations of leaders and peacebuilders in Kenya, Africa, and beyond.
