Dr Oburu Odinga the Interim ODM leader
By IP reporter
NAIROBI
Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga has broken his silence on the health condition of his late brother, Raila Odinga, saying the veteran politician was being treated for a blood clot before suffering cardiac arrest in India.
Speaking during a family briefing in Nairobi, Oburu said Raila had been attended to by top specialists in Kenya and later flown to India for advanced treatment.
He dismissed what he termed “wild and misleading speculations” about Raila’s illness, urging Kenyans to respect the family’s privacy.
According to the medical team that handled Raila in India, the former Prime Minister collapsed during a morning walk and was rushed to an emergency unit, where doctors battled to resuscitate him.
Despite intensive treatment that included clot-dissolving medication, he succumbed to complications linked to diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.
Doctors indicated that Raila had been battling deep vein thrombosis, a condition that can trigger blood clots in the brain and heart.
The final medical report revealed that he suffered cardiac arrest after multiple organ complications.
President William Ruto led the nation in mourning, describing Raila as a unifying reformist whose legacy would endure beyond politics.
Mixed Public Reaction
Supporters hailed the family’s openness, praising the Odingas for clarifying long-circulating rumors about Raila’s health.
Critics questioned why the family withheld details earlier, accusing politicians of controlling the narrative for political optics.
Medical experts said the report highlighted the need for better access to advanced treatment for aging leaders in Kenya.
Social media users urged the government to improve public healthcare instead of flying politicians abroad for treatment.
Raila Odinga, 80, was one of Kenya’s most influential figures — a reformist, five-time presidential contender, and the architect of many of the country’s democratic milestones.
His passing closes a remarkable chapter in Kenya’s political history, but his ideals continue to echo across generations.
