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Where is Raila? ODM breaks silence amid health speculation
05th October, 2025 09:19 AM
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a firm statement addressing growing speculation over the health of former Prime Minister and party leader Raila Odinga.
In the statement, the party dismissed claims spread by a section of political figures and bloggers, describing them as a deliberate campaign of misinformation.
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ODM accused a group allied to impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, alongside Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, of spreading falsehoods about Odinga’s condition.
According to ODM, the same individuals had previously led online attacks during Raila’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship earlier this year.
The party said the misinformation was being spread through selected media outlets that have been amplifying unverified content from bloggers, including fabricated images.
“The hope of this team then and now is to bully man, Raila, to provide for them to ride on in their struggle against President William Ruto,” the statement read in part on X on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Raila’s whereabouts
The party went on to clarify that Raila Odinga had travelled out of the country on Friday evening, one of the many official and personal trips he has made this year. ODM firmly stated that he did not travel to Europe, contrary to reports circulating online, and that he is not indisposed as alleged by his political opponents.
“Raila travelled out of the country on Friday evening — one of the many trips he has made this year, and definitely not the last. He did not travel to Europe as reported by bloggers and broadcast by some media houses. No, he is not indisposed, as prayed for by his frustrated opponents,” the statement continued.
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The party reminded the public that Raila Odinga has always been transparent with the nation about his health. ODM cited previous instances when Odinga openly shared medical updates, including when he was hospitalised while serving as opposition and in 2021 when he publicly announced his Covid-19 diagnosis.
ODM reaffirmed that Raila remains fully engaged in national matters, both at home and abroad. The statement said that Odinga is still committed to the ideals of a broad-based government and to fostering unity in the country.
“Home or away, 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,” the party concluded.
