Raila Odinga’s Message to Kenyans Amid Rumours About His Health

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has reassured Kenyans that he is in good health amid widespread online speculation about his condition.

In an update on Tuesday, October 7, the ODM’s Communications Director, Philip Etale, said he had personally spoken to Raila, who was in high spirits.

“I have spoken with Raila Odinga just under five minutes ago. He is jovial and happy. He has sent me to convey his greetings to all of you and says he will be back in a few days,” Etale stated. 

In a message shared by the former Prime Minister, Odinga said, “I am seeing people spreading so much propaganda online, let’s keep praying for them.” 

The clarification comes after a weekend of heightened speculation on social media over Raila’s whereabouts and well-being.

In a statement on Sunday, October 5, Raila’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango accused the opposition camp led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating the misinformation.

Onyango claimed that the united opposition team is trying to bully Raila into supporting their political fight against President William Ruto.

“The misinformation is broadcast by the same team that went on a frenzy against Hon. Raila’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission earlier this year.

“Gachagua, Kalonzo & co have co-opted sections of the traditional media that are happily picking feeds from bloggers, including AI-generated images, and broadcasting them as some kind of investigative breaking news,” read the statement in part.

Onyango clarified that the former Prime Minister travelled out of the country on Friday, October 3.

“Hon. Raila travelled out of the country on Friday evening, one of the many trips he has made this year, and definitely not the last,” said Onyango.

He continued, “He definitely did not travel to Europe as reported by bloggers and broadcast by some media houses. He is not indisposed, as prayed for by his frustrated opponents.

Further, Onyango pointed out that the ODM leader has always been transparent about his health.

He cited past instances when he publicly disclosed medical procedures during his time as Prime Minister in 2010 and when he contracted COVID-19 in 2021.

“Raila has a strong tradition of being open and generous with the country on matters of his health. He told the country that he was undergoing a procedure when he was hospitalized as a sitting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya in June 2010.

“He told the country that he was diagnosed with COVID and hospitalized as Opposition leader in 2021. He would do the same today were he to be in the health situation his opponents wish,” Onyango added.

In response, Gachagua dismissed the allegations, arguing that he spent most of his Saturday with Nyali MP Mohammed Ali and was not on social media.

He said he was not aware if rumors were circulating online about Raila’s health.

“I am very saddened by ODM; it has sunk so low. Since they allowed William Ruto to destroy ODM, it is no longer the party it was. I spent the whole of yesterday with Mohammed Ali. I never had access to social media, and I slept early.

“This morning, when I woke, I was told there is a letter that ODM is accusing me and Kalonzo of giving, misinformation that Raila is unwell. I was not even aware whether he is unwell or if there are rumors that he is unwell,” he said.

Gachagua noted that he does not concern himself with Raila, noting that he sees no difference between the former Prime Minister and Ruto.

“There is no difference between Ruto and Raila, so you don’t have to concentrate on two personalities when they are one. I don’t bother about Raila, and I have no interest in where he goes, whether he is out of the country or not. It is none of my business,” he stated.

Gachagua went on to say the statement by ODM accusing him of spreading rumours about Raila is ‘amateurish’, adding that ODM did not have to write a statement if the former Prime Minister was feeling well.

“When I looked at that letter, it’s so amateurish, it’s so cheap. If a leader is said to be unwell and he is well, you just ignore and go on with life; you don’t have to say you are well. Why should you bother? 

“If you feel the rumors are bothering you and you need to tell people you’re well, you don’t have to write a letter; all you need to do is do activities here and there, and then people can see you are well,” he stated.

Further, Gachagua alleged that the letter was part of a wider political scheme aimed at sowing division between the Luo community and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

“It is political mischief if Raila will not run and he supports Ruto, a lot of people from Luo Nyanza are saying that if Kalonzo is in the ballot, they will vote for him because he has stood with Raila for 15 years. I think this was a scheme to try to create a wedge between the Luo Nation and Kalonzo,” he added.