Mystery Over Raila’s Whereabouts Ends as Oburu Finally Breaks Silence on His Health

Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has moved to calm growing speculation surrounding the health of ODM leader Raila Odinga, confirming that the opposition chief is currently in India, where he is recuperating after a brief illness.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, October 12, Oburu dismissed widespread reports that Raila was in critical condition, describing them as exaggerated and misleading.

“I want to assure Kenyans that Raila is up and about. Like any other person, he was slightly unwell, but he’s recovering and taking some rest,” Oburu said.

He emphasized that the former Prime Minister’s condition had been blown out of proportion by sections of the media, noting that “he was not in the state being described in the press.”

According to Oburu, Raila is currently in India, recuperating under medical supervision, and is expected to resume his normal duties soon.

His remarks come amid growing public concern after Raila’s prolonged absence from public events, sparking a wave of speculation online about his health.

Earlier this week, Mama Ida Odinga also dismissed the rumours, assuring Kenyans that her husband was in good health and urging the public to stop spreading unverified information.

“Raila Odinga is fine,” she said firmly during a function in Nyanza. “It’s surprising how people who don’t live with him can claim to know more about his health than I do.”

She called on Kenyans to be responsible, particularly when discussing the wellbeing of public figures, noting that Raila continues to engage in his routine political and community activities.

Meanwhile, Raila’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango condemned what he termed as a “coordinated disinformation campaign” allegedly driven by political figures including Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Eugene Wamalwa.

According to Onyango, the same group had earlier tried to undermine Raila’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship, and is now using similar tactics by circulating AI-generated images and false reports to create panic.

“The misinformation is being spread by the same team that went wild against Hon. Raila’s AU bid earlier this year,” Onyango stated. “Their goal is to bully him into providing a platform for their political struggles against President Ruto.”

He insisted that Raila has always been open about his health, recalling past instances where the ODM leader personally informed Kenyans whenever he sought medical attention.