Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga

By David Njoroge

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s secretariat has dismissed claims linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua about Odinga’s health, describing them as false, malicious and politically driven.

In a statement issued Sunday, October 5, the secretariat affirmed that Odinga is in good health and actively discharging his duties while in the United Kingdom.

“We wish to assure all Kenyans that Hon. Raila Odinga is in good health. He is currently in the United Kingdom and continues to discharge his duties without any hindrance,” said Dennis Onyango, Odinga’s spokesman.

The statement responds to speculation and media reports suggesting Odinga was hospitalised.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) attributed the rumours to a faction led by Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa. According to the secretariat, the group has used bloggers and AI-generated images to circulate misleading claims—a tactic previously employed during Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) bid.

Although Gachagua has not directly addressed Odinga’s health, he recently accused the ODM leader of engineering dual political fronts to extract financial advantage from the Kenya Kwanza (KK) administration. Speaking at a church service in Kajiado on September 28, Gachagua alleged that Odinga’s silence on ODM’s 2027 candidate was tied to delayed payments.

Onyango said such remarks were intended to stir public anxiety and divert attention from pressing national concerns.

“The remarks by Gachagua and his team are false, malicious and politically motivated. They are meant to cause unnecessary tension among Kenyans and shift focus from matters of national importance,” he said.

He urged the public to disregard what he termed propaganda and instead prioritise unity and development.

The secretariat clarified that Odinga is not undergoing any medical procedure, contrary to claims aired by a local media outlet. It also noted that he has continued to share updates on his engagements via social media, including meetings with Azimio Coalition allies.

Odinga has been in the United Kingdom for several days on what his team describes as official engagements. His absence from recent public events had triggered speculation among political opponents.