Misinformation! Raila team denies ill health claims says he’s out of country

ODM leader Raila Odinga

The Raila Odinga Secretariat has dismissed reports circulating about the health of former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga, terming them false and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Raila’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango accused a section of political figures led by impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa of orchestrating a “familiar campaign of misinformation” targeting the opposition leader.

According to the statement, the alleged misinformation is being spread by the same team that previously attacked Odinga’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission earlier this year.

“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,” the statement read.

The Secretariat accused the politicians of co-opting sections of the media and bloggers to spread false information, including AI-generated images, which are then circulated as breaking news.

“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,” Onyango said.

He emphasized that Raila Odinga has always been open and transparent about his health, citing past instances when he publicly disclosed his medical condition.

“He told the country that he was undergoing a procedure when he was hospitalized as a sitting Prime Minister in June 2010. He told the country that he was diagnosed with Covid and hospitalized as Opposition leader in 2021. He would do the same today were he to be in the health situation his opponents wish,” the statement added.

Onyango clarified that the ODM leader is not unwell as reported by some bloggers and media houses. He said Raila left the country on Friday evening for one of his many routine trips and did not travel to Europe as alleged.

“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 stated.

The Secretariat reaffirmed that Raila remains focused on promoting the ideals of the Broad-Based Government and continues to champion unity and compromise for national stability.

“Home or away, Hon. Raila remains committed to the ideals of the Broad-Based Government. He remains steadfast in his belief that extreme threats to the nation require extreme compromises in the interest of the nation,” Onyango concluded.