Where is Raila Odinga? Secretariat dispels ill-health claims, fail to disclose actual whereabouts

The country has been thrust into a frenzy on the actual whereabouts of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga even as his secretariat allayed fears of his alleged ailment saying he traveled out of the country on Friday evening, October 3, 2025.

However, according to a statement released today, October 5, 2025 and posted on ODM’s X handle, Raila’s Press Secretary Dennis Onyango did not disclose Raila’s country of visitation.

Instead, the statement was pointed to shifting blame accusing a group of politicians opposed to President William Ruto for allegedly spreading malicious claims about Raila’s health.

And in a quick rejoinder, Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) party fired back at Raila’s brigade over reports that he is indisposed saying that its leader, Kalonzo, harbours no ill intent towards his long-time political ally terming ODM’s claims that he is spreading rumours against him is malicious.

Wiper said ODM’s assertions amounts to “an act of desperation” to divert the nation from the cracks dogging the party within the broad-based government deal it made with the government.

“ODM’s hollow moralizing and blame games cannot mask their betrayal of the Kenyan people,” said Wiper in a statement.

“Their alliance with President Ruto’s regime, the same administration responsible for bloodshed, economic ruin and repression, exposes them as co-authors of the nation suffering. ODM’s latest statement is not about Raila’s health. It is about their guilt, their fear, and their desperate attempt to justify a political marriage stinking of despotism,” the statement by Wiper reads in part.

Onyango said the misinformation was part of a coordinated smear campaign led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and DAP’s Eugene Wamalwa, whom he described as “a struggling team” intent on dragging Odinga into their political battles.

“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 statement read.

Onyango claimed the group had “co-opted sections of the traditional media” to amplify falsehoods allegedly sourced from bloggers and AI-generated content, presented as investigative reports.

“The hope of this team then and now is to bully Hon. Raila to provide a backroom for them to ride on in their struggle against President William Ruto,” Onyango stated.

He affirmed that the ODM leader is in good health and had simply travelled abroad on Friday evening  “one of the many trips he has made this year, and definitely not the last.”

The aide denied reports Odinga is in Europe for medical attention.

“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 added.

Odinga last known engagement was on Friday, when the ODM Party announced it had extended county-level celebrations for its postponed 20th anniversary fete moved to November 15., 2025.

The Secretariat emphasized Odinga’s long-standing openness about his health, recalling his transparency during past medical procedures — including hospitalization in 2010 while serving as Prime Minister, and his 2021 admission to hospital after contracting COVID-19.

“He would do the same today were he to [be] in the health situation his opponents wish,” Onyango said.

The Secretariat reiterated Odinga’s continued support for President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and his commitment to the ideals of the Broad-Based Government, crafted on an alliance of Ruto’s UDA and ODM, asserting that he remains steadfast in seeking consensus and compromise for national unity.

“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 Secretariat noted.

Onyango said Raila’s political rivals were frustrated by his influence and enduring role in shaping Kenya’s governance agenda.