Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has rubbished reports circulating online and in sections of the media claiming that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is unwell and seeking medical treatment abroad.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, Raila’s spokesman Dennis Onyango accused political rivals of manufacturing lies about the ODM leader’s health in a renewed attempt to undermine his credibility and destabilize the opposition.
“The political formation of impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his struggling team of Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, among others, are on a familiar campaign of misinformation on the health of former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga,” Onyango said.
He added that the same group had co-opted sections of the media and bloggers to spread falsehoods, including doctored photos and fabricated stories, which were then presented as breaking news.
ODM maintained that Raila, 80, is in excellent health and continues to carry out his political and personal duties without interruption.
“He definitely did not travel to Europe as picked from bloggers and broadcast by some media houses. He is not indisposed, as prayed for by his frustrated opponents,” Onyango clarified.
The spokesman said Raila left the country on Friday evening for a routine trip abroad, one of several he has undertaken this year. “This is not the first and definitely not the last,” he said, urging supporters to disregard what he called “cheap propaganda.”
Onyango also highlighted Raila’s record of openness about his health, pointing to previous instances where he informed the public about his medical condition.
“Hon. Raila has a strong tradition of being open and generous with the country on matters of his health. He told the country when he underwent a procedure in 2010 and when he was diagnosed with Covid-19 in 2021. He would do the same today were he to be in the health situation his opponents wish,” the statement read.
According to the ODM secretariat, the renewed rumours are part of a wider campaign to distract the public from pressing political issues. Onyango accused Raila’s opponents of using health-related propaganda to seek sympathy and political relevance.
“The hope of this team then and now is to bully Hon. Raila to provide a back for them to ride on in their struggle against President William Ruto,” he said.
Odinga, who has been championing a broad-based approach to governance, remains committed to his duties both at home and abroad. The party urged Kenyans to ignore false reports and focus on the country’s unity and progress.
“Home or away, Hon. Raila remains committed to the ideals of a united Kenya,” Onyango affirmed, calling for restraint in sharing unverified information online.
