Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga during an interview at his home in Karen, Nairobi on July 19, 2025.
Conflicting reports continue to swirl over veteran politician Raila Odinga’s health status, on a day one of his ODM legislators made a public appeal for special prayers for his recovery.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi on Sunday called on Christians across Kenya to offer special prayers for Mr Odinga’s swift recovery.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi.
Speaking during a fundraising event in Rang’ala, Siaya County, where he was the guest of honour, Mr Omondi - a one-time personal aide of Mr Odinga - appealed for national unity in prayer.
"I appeal to all Christians of all denominations across the Republic of Kenya to say a special prayer for our leader, Raila Odinga...that he may regain his full health and strength. As he recuperates in hospital, we hold him dearly in our thoughts and prayers,” the MP said.
The MP made the remarks even as Mr Odinga’s secretariat led by his spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, insisted that Mr Odinga was not indisposed as alleged by his "political opponents".
“Raila travelled out of the country on Friday evening, one of the many trips he has made this year, and definitely not the last. He is not indisposed, as prayed for by his frustrated opponents,” Mr Onyango said in an earlier statement issued on Sunday.
He explained that Mr Odinga has traditionally shared updates on his health with the public, citing 2010 when he was hospitalised while serving as the country’s Prime Minister and in 2021 when he contracted Covid-19.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) with Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka at Nairobi Hospital in 2010. Dr Olunya, a neurosurgeon, said Mr Odinga checked into the hospital on Monday at 6 p.m. complaining of headache and general fatigue and was later operated on to relieve pressure outside his brain.
The ODM leader also travelled to Dubai in 2020 for minor back surgery.
Rumours about health
But another party official who spoke to the Daily Nation off the record said Mr Odinga had travelled for a routine medical check-up. The official, however, declined to share more details.
The source explained that Mr Odinga has always travelled for check-ups following his 2010 head surgery. He underwent the procedure in June 2010 in order to relieve pressure that had built up outside his brain.
Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga during an interview at his home in Karen, Nairobi on July 19, 2025.
Mr Odinga has kept away from public engagements, including major political events by his ODM party, fueling rumours of his ill health.
He was conspicuously absent from ODM's political jamborees in Kisii, Wajir and Narok counties in the build-up to the party's 20th anniversary celebrations.
He, however, made a public appearance after chairing a party meeting on the planned celebrations at Serena Hotel on Friday October 3.
Mr Odinga's health has been the subject of public speculation in recent days, prompting his secretariat and allies to respond by blaming political detractors for being behind the discourse.
Gachagua weighs in
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addresses residents of Othaya in Nyeri County on May 25, 2025.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, one of the opposition figures ODM has accused of fueling rumours, on Sunday said Mr Odinga should make a public appearance to prove he is well.
“If a leader is said to be unwell, and he is well, you just ignore and go on with life. If you feel that the rumours are bothering you, and you need to tell people that you are well, you do not need to write a letter. All you need to do is participate in a few activities here and there, and people will see that you are well, and the rumours will end,” Mr Gachagua said during an interview on KTN.
“President Moi used to do it that way. He would disappear for five or six days, then people would say he is sick. But then he would turn up at KICC, do a brisk walk from KICC to Harambee House, and the matter would just end.
The debate over Mr Odinga’s health also emerged as a central theme during the Sigand Nyi Nam (Story of the Daughters of the Lake) cultural event held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium.
There, women leaders expressed their displeasure with what they termed as a deliberate campaign to mislead the public his health.
Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu dismissed rumours and directed sharp criticism at Mr Gachagua.
“There's this man, Gachagua, who believes that the only way to lead is by maligning Raila Odinga. Someone should remind him that Raila’s health is none of his business. Even if Raila were unwell, his bad wishes will come to nothing,” she declared.
Homa Bay Governor, Gladys Wanga, echoed similar sentiments, criticising Mr Gachagua for what she termed as narrow political vision.
“We need a leader who speaks for the entire nation, not one who wakes up every morning thinking only of Mount Kenya,” Governor Wanga stated.
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