OPPOSITION. AND ODM TRADE BARBS OVER RAILA'S HEALTH RUMOURS

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka have dismissed a statement by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretariat accusing them of deliberately spreading misinformation about Raila Odinga’s health in a bid to undermine the ODM leader’s political standing.

The Sunday 5 statement claimed that Gachagua was the source of persistent rumours about Raila’s alleged illness, while Kalonzo Musyoka was accused of frustrating Odinga’s campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

“The political formation of impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his struggling team of Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, among others, are on a familiar campaign of misinformation on the health of former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga,” the ODM statement read in part.

The secretariat further warned that those attempting to erode Raila’s influence within the opposition would face “political consequences.” It also claimed that certain media houses had been “co-opted” into circulating false reports, some allegedly based on AI-generated images.

However, both Gachagua and the Wiper Party swiftly fired back.

From his Karen residence, Gachagua dismissed ODM’s accusations as “baseless and desperate propaganda,” insisting that he had no interest in discussing Raila’s private affairs.

“I don’t care whether Raila Odinga is sick or not. That’s none of my business,” Gachagua said. “I have not made any comment on his condition anywhere. What ODM is doing is simply trying to distract Kenyans from the truth — that Raila has lost touch with the people who once supported him, " Gachagua said during a Sunday Night interview with KTN.

The former Deputy President went on to accuse ODM of engaging in “sympathy politics” to revive what he described as their dwindling popularity. “Kenyans have moved on. Raila is only trying to get back to the people who abandoned him politically,” he added.

Gachagua went on further challenging the former Prime Minister to address the public directly about his health status rather than relying on official letters from his party.

“If a leader is said to be unwell, and he is well, you just ignore and go on with life. If you feel that the rumours are bothering you, and you need to tell people that you are well, you do not need to write a letter. All you need to do is participate in a few activities here and there, and people will see that you are well, and the rumours will end,” he stated.

He cited former President Daniel arap Moi’s example, saying: “President Moi used to do it that way. He would disappear for five or six days, then people would say he is sick. But then he would turn up at KICC, do a brisk walk from KICC to Harambee House, and the matter would just end.”

Gachagua maintained that ODM’s letter had only deepened speculation about Raila’s condition. Still, he expressed a sarcastic goodwill towards the long time opposition leader ahead of the next General Election. “My prayer is that God gives Raila long life and good health. I pray to God that he supports William Ruto so that we defeat both of them in 2027,” he noted.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, through his party’s Secretary General Shakila Aballa, also dismissed ODM’s claims, terming them “baseless, desperate, and a distraction from ODM’s own internal chaos and political decay.”

"Let it be stated clearly, H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka harbours no ill will whatsoever toward Mr Odinga. The two leaders share a long, public history of cooperation and mutual respect," the statement said.

Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka had not publicly commented on the matter by the time of publication. Nonetheless, ODM maintained it would continue defending its leader from what it described as “coordinated political attacks” both within and outside the opposition.

In an effort to dispel the growing rumours, ODM Communications Director Philip Etale took to his official X account to reassure Kenyans that Raila Odinga was in good health and enjoying a Saturday football match between Arsenal and West Ham United.

“Baba enjoying a match between his favourite team Arsenal and their neighbours West Ham FC yesterday somewhere in this world. He was so excited when the Gunners gunned the Hammers 2-0,” Etale posted.

However, the post sparked mixed reactions online, with some netizens scrutinizing the background of the photo. Observers pointed out that the setting appeared to resemble a hospital environment, with some users claiming to identify signage bearing the name King’s College Hospital, London.

The controversy comes amid Raila’s prolonged absence from the public scene and the recent postponement of ODM’s 20th anniversary celebration further catapulted the issue into fresh speculations about his health and future political ambitions.

Despite the speculation, ODM has maintained that Raila is in good health and that the circulating rumours are part of a broader campaign of misinformation targeting the former premier.