Raila ‘Is Well’, Secretariat Dismisses Illness Rumours as Wiper, ODM Clash Over Blame Game

The Raila Odinga Secretariat has dismissed widespread rumours about the ODM leader’s health, insisting that the veteran opposition figure is “in good condition” and currently on a routine foreign trip.

Raila’s spokesman Dennis Onyango issued a statement refuting claims that the Azimio leader was unwell, blaming political rivals for spreading “false and misleading information” about his whereabouts.

“Mr. Odinga is well and away on scheduled engagements abroad. The rumours circulating about his health are baseless and driven by opponents desperate to stir unnecessary panic,” Onyango said.

The statement, however, reignited tensions within the opposition after the Secretariat appeared to fault Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his allies for allegedly fueling the speculation. The Secretariat accused unnamed figures in the opposition of spreading misinformation to undermine Raila’s leadership within the Azimio coalition.

In a sharp rejoinder, Wiper Secretary General Shakila Abdalla hit back at ODM, accusing the party of dragging Kalonzo into internal disputes instead of focusing on coalition unity.

“ODM must stop the blame game. Wiper and Kalonzo Musyoka have not commented on Raila Odinga’s health. It is unfair and irresponsible to point fingers at coalition partners whenever ODM faces internal issues,” Shakila said during a press briefing in Machakos.

Meanwhile, Onyango maintained that Raila will return to the country “soon” to resume his political engagements and continue steering the coalition’s agenda.