Ida Odinga has dismissed rumours about her husband Raila Odinga’s health, assuring the public that the ODM leader is in good condition and only taking a short break.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 7, Ida expressed concern over the growing misinformation about Raila’s wellbeing, urging Kenyans to avoid spreading falsehoods.
"Some people claimed that Baba is sick. If he were as bad as they claimed, I would have just brought him to this hospital in Migori. Baba has sent his greetings; he is well and has just taken a short break.
"I ask you, how would someone who doesn't live with him know, yet I, who live with him, don't know? The truth is, Baba is okay," she said.
Earlier Tuesday, Raila himself reassured Kenyans that he is in good health amid widespread online speculation about his condition.
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In an update on Tuesday, October 7, the ODM's Communications Director, Philip Etale, said he had personally spoken to Raila, who was in high spirits.
"I have spoken with Raila Odinga just under five minutes ago. He is jovial and happy. He has sent me to convey his greetings to all of you and says he will be back in a few days," Etale stated.
In a message shared by the former Prime Minister, Odinga said, "I am seeing people spreading so much propaganda online, let's keep praying for them."
The clarification came after a weekend of heightened speculation on social media over Raila's whereabouts and well-being.
In a statement on Sunday, October 5, Raila’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango accused the opposition camp led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating the misinformation.
Onyango claimed that the united opposition team is trying to bully Raila into supporting their political fight against President William Ruto.
"The misinformation is broadcast by the same team that went on a frenzy against Hon. Raila’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission earlier this year.
"Gachagua, Kalonzo & co have co-opted sections of the traditional media that are happily picking feeds from bloggers, including AI-generated images, and broadcasting them as some kind of investigative breaking news," read the statement in part.
Onyango clarified that the former Prime Minister travelled out of the country on Friday, October 3.
"Hon. 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 definitely did not travel to Europe as reported by bloggers and broadcast by some media houses. He is not indisposed, as prayed for by his frustrated opponents," he said.
In response, Gachagua dismissed the allegations, arguing that he spent most of his Saturday with Nyali MP Mohammed Ali and was not on social media.
He said he was not aware if rumors were circulating online about Raila’s health.
"I am very saddened by ODM; it has sunk so low. Since they allowed William Ruto to destroy ODM, it is no longer the party it was. I spent the whole of yesterday with Mohammed Ali. I never had access to social media, and I slept early.
"This morning, when I woke, I was told there is a letter that ODM is accusing me and Kalonzo of giving, misinformation that Raila is unwell. I was not even aware whether he is unwell or if there are rumors that he is unwell," he said.
Gachagua noted that he does not concern himself with Raila, noting that he sees no difference between the former Prime Minister and Ruto.
"There is no difference between Ruto and Raila, so you don’t have to concentrate on two personalities when they are one. I don’t bother about Raila, and I have no interest in where he goes, whether he is out of the country or not. It is none of my business," he stated.
