Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida, has broken her silence on the veteran politician’s health, which has been the subject of much speculation.
Speaking in Migori on Tuesday, Ida assured Kenyans that the former Prime Minister is not indisposed as rumoured, explaining that he flew out of the country to have some rest.
She said that if he was truly sick, as speculated, she would have taken him to the hospital for medical attention. She expressed surprise at how outsiders seem to know more about Mr Odinga’s health status, more than his family members.
“In the past week, there have been rumours claiming Raila is sick. If his condition were truly as serious as they say, I would have taken him to a hospital here in Migori for treatment,” said Ida.
“How can someone who doesn’t live with him claim to know his health status, while I, who stay with him, am unaware of any issues? What I’m telling you is the truth: Baba is okay.”
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga with his wife Ida Odinga at the coalition's final mega rally at Kasarani Sports Stadium.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
Her assurance comes even as conflicting reports continued to swirl over Mr Odinga’s health, with Suba South Member of Parliament (MP), Caroli Omondi, on Sunday calling on Christians across Kenya to offer special prayers for his swift recovery.
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, for a quick recovery, 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.
Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on Tuesday took to his X handle to hit out at politicians ‘bad mouthing’ Mr Odinga over his health.
“In 2020, during Covid, I was hospitalised for 40 days. Baba Raila Amolo Odinga risked his life and visited me. In late 2021 and early 2022, I was hospitalised for 5 months, and he visited me three times. This most compassionate man is the one some are bad-mouthing about his health in political rallies.
“This pains me to the core. Politics is not everything,” said Mr Kuria.
Raila Odinga during the 10th Memorial Anniversary for Mama Rosah Oyoo, the mother to Ida Odinga, in Migori County.
Photo credit: Pool
Mr Odinga’s secretariat, led by his spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, has in the recent past maintained 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 with the public his health condition, citing 2010 when he was hospitalised while serving as the country’s Prime Minister and in 2021 when he suffered the Covid-19.
But another party official who spoke off the record had told Nation that Mr Odinga travelled for a routine medical check-up. The official, however, declined to provide details of the hospital where Mr Odinga is admitted.
The source explained that Mr Odinga has always travelled for such medical check-ups following the 2010 head surgery. Mr Odinga underwent head surgery in June 2010 to relieve pressure which had built up outside his brain. The pressure may have been caused by Mr Odinga banging his head in his car.
Mr Odinga has kept away from public engagements, including major political events by his ODM party, fueling the ill-health reports.
He was conspicuously missing in the party’s political jamborees held in Kisii, Wajir and Narok counties in the build-up to its 20th anniversary national celebrations.
ODM leader Raila Odinga pecks his wife Ida Odinga when he officially declared his candidature for presidency in 2022 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on December 10, 2021.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
He, however, made a public appearance after chairing the party’s consultative meeting on the planned celebration at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Friday, October 3.
Mr Odinga's health has been the subject of widespread public and media discourse in recent days, prompting his secretariat and allies to respond to the allegations by blaming their political detractors for being behind the speculations.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua – one of the opposition figures ODM has accused of fueling the rumours- on Sunday said Mr Odinga should make public appearances as proof that he is well instead of issuing press statements.
“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.”
