Ida Speaks on Raila’s Health Condition

Ida Odinga has finally broken her silence on speculation surrounding her husband’s health, dismissing reports that the veteran politician is gravely ill.

Speaking in Migori on Tuesday, the wife of ODM leader Raila Odinga expressed bewilderment at how outsiders appeared to know more about her husband’s health than his own family members.

Ida questioned where propagandists were getting information about her husband’s health, insisting that if his condition were as serious as rumoured, she would have taken him to hospital for treatment.

“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,” Ida said during the event.

“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.”

Her public statement comes amid heightened speculation about the former Prime Minister’s health, fuelled by his conspicuous absence from several key political events in recent weeks.

Mr Odinga has kept away from public engagements, including major political events by his ODM party.

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.

The veteran politician’s absence from these high-profile gatherings triggered a wave of concern and conflicting reports about his wellbeing, with some political figures calling for prayers for his swift recovery.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, a former personal aide to Mr Odinga, on Sunday appealed to Christians across Kenya to offer special prayers for the ODM leader’s recovery during a fundraising event in Rang’ala, Siaya County.

“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,” Mr Omondi said.

However, Mr Odinga’s secretariat has consistently maintained that the former Prime Minister is not indisposed as alleged.

His spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, issued a statement on Sunday clarifying that Mr Odinga had travelled out of the country on Friday evening for one of his many trips this year.

“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.

Party sources speaking off the record indicated that Mr Odinga travelled for a routine medical check-up, a practice he has maintained since undergoing head surgery in June 2010 to relieve pressure that had built up outside his brain.

Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria also weighed in on the matter, criticising politicians who have been “bad mouthing” Mr Odinga over his health.

Taking to social media platform X on Tuesday, Mr Kuria recounted how the ODM leader had visited him multiple times during his own health challenges.

“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,” Mr Kuria wrote.

Mr Odinga, however, made a public appearance after chairing a party meeting on the planned celebrations at Serena Hotel on Friday October 3.

Following that meeting, ODM announced a change in the celebration dates.

Initially scheduled for October 10th to 12th, the event will now take place from November 14th to 16th in Mombasa.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom ODM leaders have accused of fuelling the health rumours, suggested that Mr Odinga should make public appearances to dispel the speculation rather than 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.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and a host of ODM Members of Parliament have strongly defended former Prime Minister Raila Odinga against growing speculation about his health, calling out opposition leaders for spreading misinformation.

Mr Odinga’s health history has been transparent over the years.

He was hospitalised while serving as Prime Minister in 2010 following his head surgery, and again in 2021 when he contracted Covid-19.

His secretariat has emphasised this tradition of openness regarding his health condition.