Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Odinga, on Wednesday night emotionally recounted his last moments with the ODM leader amid mounting speculation from some Kenyans that the family had concealed information about Raila’s health condition during his treatment in India.
Speaking during a State Funeral Committee briefing, Oburu, visibly grief-stricken, dismissed the claims, insisting that Raila was in good health just hours before his death.
He said his earlier assurances that the former Prime Minister was recovering well were based on factual updates and not attempts to hide anything from the public.
''As I had told you before, I informed you that he was well and kicking about and that he would soon be back in the country. That was not a lie; it was the truth,'' Oburu said, his voice breaking as he recalled their final conversation.
He revealed that they had spoken the previous night and that Raila had sounded lively and strong. ''He was very well until last night; I spoke to him. He was vibrant, up and kicking,'' Oburu recounted, adding that nothing in their interaction had suggested any immediate health danger.
Oburu explained that the sudden death came as a shock to the family, noting that doctors suspected it was caused by a heart attack. ''It is only unfortunate this morning that he suffered shock, which is suspected after the post-mortem to be a heart attack,'' he stated.
The developments came at a time when Kenyans on social media raised questions on the circumstances leading to Raila's death, with the news having first been broken by Indian news outlets.
According to the reports from India, Odinga collapsed within the premises of Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Center and was rushed to a private hospital in Koothattukulam.
Earlier, prior to the demise news, Oburu confirmed Raila’s visit to India on October 10, stating that he was recuperating. He clarified that Odinga only suffered a slight illness, which forced him to seek medical attention abroad.
''I want to take this opportunity to clarify this: there have been a lot of rumours about our party leader, Raila Odinga, that he is very sick, that he is almost dying, and that he is completely out," Oburu noted while addressing journalists in Ugunja, Siaya County.
"But I want to tell you that he is out and about, and he is just like any other human being who was indisposed a little, and he is now recuperating and resting, but he was not in those conditions alleged," he added.
Amid heightening concerns, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also said that he talked with Odinga and he was in good health, calling out opposition leaders for playing cheap politics.
''Mzee Raila Odinga is safe and healthy. Those who are wishing him ill are not good people because it is against African tradition to wish anybody ill, even your worst enemy,'' said Kindiki in Siaya on October 13.
Odinga is set to be buried on Sunday, October 19, as per his wishes to be laid to rest 72 hours after his passing.
