Why ODM and Kalonzo's Wiper are in war of words over Raila's health

A bitter war of words has erupted between ODM and Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party over claims that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is unwell, with his allies accusing opposition figures of spreading malicious rumours.

Reports circulating on social media over the weekend alleged that the former Prime Minister was admitted to a Nairobi hospital.

While denying the claims, ODM on Sunday accused opposition leaders of engaging in a disinformation campaign and harbouring ill will towards Raila.

This came even as a source close to the ODM leader’s family told The Standard that Raila is out of the country on a “brief medical holiday”.

The veteran politician, who turned 80 on 7 January, has been “feeling tired and needed to rest for a while,” the source revealed. Raila reportedly left the country on Friday.

However, his wife Ida Odinga dismissed rumours about his health as wishful thinking.

Speaking to The Standard, Ida challenged claims that her husband is unwell, insisting he is perfectly fine.

“These rumours circulating are baseless and unfounded,” she said.

“There is no truth to these claims. He is healthy and doing well. I have seen reports that he is in ICU — who has actually seen him there?” she asked.

“He is well, and his spokesman Dennis Onyango has thoroughly addressed these rumours,” she added.

Attempts to reach Raila’s elder brother, Senator Oburu Oginga, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to text messages or return calls.

Gachagua faction

Dennis Onyango, Raila’s long-time aide, dismissed reports of a medical trip, saying he had no knowledge of such information.

“This is news to me. It is information only your paper has, so I cannot confirm or deny anything. I have no idea about what you are asking,” said Onyango.

He later issued a statement accusing opposition leaders, specifically those aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, of being behind the false reports.

“The political formation around the impeached deputy president and his struggling team of Eugene Wamalwa and Kalonzo Musyoka are on a familiar campaign about misinformation about the health of former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The misinformation is broadcast by the same team that went into a frenzy about Raila’s bid for AU chairmanship. The hope for this team then and now is to bully Mr Odinga to provide a back for them to ride in their struggle against President Ruto.”

Onyango added that Raila had indeed travelled out of the country but was not ill, “…as prayed for by his frustrated opponents. Home or away, Hon Raila is committed to the ideals of the broad-based government.”

Mission abroad

ODM Nairobi chairman George Aladwa also condemned what he termed “evil rumours” being propagated by a section of the opposition regarding Raila’s health.

“To wish death to Raila and sponsor bloggers to spread that wish is as low as politics can get. I wish to tell Gachagua, Kalonzo, Wamalwa and their bloggers that they have hit a deep low and need to rethink,” Aladwa said in a statement.

He told ODM supporters that Raila was in good health and that party leaders were aware of his whereabouts and mission abroad.

“We find it quite unfortunate and regrettable that as Raila works with President William Ruto to stabilise the country and its economy, other politicians are so unhappy as to pray for the death of the ODM leader. They will be defeated in their primitive schemes,” he added.

In a rejoinder, Wiper Secretary General, Senator Shakila Abdalla, said ODM’s accusations amounted to political theatre.

Weak distraction

She described the statements as a desperate move from “a once respected movement that has lost its moral compass and political relevance”.

According to the Senator, Kalonzo harbours no ill will towards Raila, with whom he shares a long-standing public history of cooperation and mutual respect.

“Any suggestion that Kalonzo wishes harm upon Raila is malicious, reckless and utterly false. ODM’s attempts to drag Kalonzo into its internal confusion is a weak distraction from the cracks splitting the so-called broad-based government they now defend so blindly,” she said.

She also distanced Kalonzo from Raila’s failed bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship, attributing the loss to poor handling by government.

Raila’s absence from key events in recent days has added fuel to the speculation.

On 26 September, he missed ODM’s 20th anniversary celebrations held at Gusii Stadium in Kisii. Despite heavy mobilisation by party officials, the ODM leader did not attend, prompting further questions about his whereabouts.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who chairs the ODM@20 planning committee, addressed the crowd in Raila’s absence.

“I bring you greetings from Raila Odinga. We left him in Nairobi, and he asked me to say hello to you. He was to make a surprise appearance at this ceremony, but the guest he was scheduled to travel with by plane was delayed. Odinga therefore remained in Nairobi to welcome them as we head towards the grand finale of the ODM 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa next month,” said Nassir.

The party has since postponed its Mombasa celebrations from October to November, raising further questions.

The three-day event, originally slated for 10–12 October, will now take place from 14–16 November.

Raila also missed the funeral ceremony of former Cabinet Minister Dalmas Otieno on 30 September. His speech was delivered by his brother Oburu Odinga, who did not explain Raila’s absence.