Nairobi, Kenya, October, 5, 2025— The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has strongly denied claims circulating within opposition circles that party leader Raila Odinga is unwell, dismissing the reports as “false, malicious, and politically motivated.”
Speculation over Mr. Odinga’s health intensified last week after several opposition figures suggested the former Prime Minister was receiving treatment abroad. Some alleged that his condition was serious and being deliberately concealed from the public.
In an official statement released Sunday, the ODM Secretariat refuted the rumors, confirming that Raila Odinga is currently in the United Kingdom on official engagements—not for medical reasons.
“We wish to assure Kenyans that Hon. Raila Odinga is in good health. The rumors being peddled by a section of the opposition are not only untrue but are aimed at creating unnecessary anxiety among his supporters,” said ODM Communications Director Philip Etale.
Odinga’s spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, also condemned the speculation, accusing political opponents of manufacturing a crisis where none exists.
“This is a tired tactic used by opponents who have nothing new to offer. Raila Odinga remains active, engaged, and focused on his work both at home and abroad,” Onyango said.
However, former Deputy President and DCP Party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, while speaking at a rally in Nyeri on Saturday, suggested that the country deserves transparency.
“We have nothing against Raila personally, but Kenyans have a right to know the health status of anyone eyeing national leadership,” Gachagua said. “We wish him well, but ODM should stop hiding behind press statements.”
Meanwhile, Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, a close ally of Odinga, dismissed the statements terming them as “cheap politics.”
“This is gutter-level politics. Raila is fine. I’ve spoken to him personally—he is working and strong as ever. Let us focus on rebuilding the country instead of spreading falsehoods,” Kalonzo told reporters during a press briefing in Machakos.
The health claims emerge at a politically sensitive moment, with mounting pressure on both the government and opposition to clarify their positions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Odinga remains a central figure in national politics and regional diplomacy, including recent AU-related assignments.
ODM has urged the public to disregard the speculation and rely on verified communication from the party or Odinga’s office.
