How Raila Odinga Reacted to Death Rumours That Emerged Before He Breathed His Last
As Kenya mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, a new layer of sadness surrounds his final days — the unrelenting rumours about his health that surfaced just before his death.
🕊️ The Rumours Begin
In early October 2025, social-media platforms were awash with claims that Raila had died abroad. The posts — many of them unverified — spread fast, prompting confusion among supporters and the public alike.
For a man who had been a pillar of Kenyan democracy for decades, the speculation was both painful and deeply unfair.
💬 Raila’s Calm Response
According to sources close to his family, Raila Odinga was aware of the online chatter but remained calm. He reportedly told aides that “the truth does not panic.”
He instructed his team not to engage in heated exchanges online but to communicate facts through official channels. To him, responding with restraint was a mark of leadership — even in moments of personal vulnerability.
“Raila believed rumours were temporary; truth lasts forever,” said a senior ODM official who spoke after his passing.
🏠 Family Sets the Record Straight
As the rumours intensified, his wife Ida Odinga stepped forward to reassure Kenyans.
“Raila Odinga is fine,” she said in an interview on October 8, 2025, urging the public to ignore false reports and pray for the family’s peace.
His brother Dr Oburu Oginga later confirmed that Raila had spoken to him just a day before the tragic news, describing him as “vibrant and cheerful.”
Those statements temporarily calmed the storm — until fate struck unexpectedly.
🌍 The Final Hours
Raila Odinga passed away days later while undergoing treatment in India, reportedly from cardiac arrest.
The shock reverberated across Kenya, leaving millions struggling to reconcile the recent reassurances with the heartbreaking reality.
Crowds flooded the streets of Bondo, Kisumu, and Nairobi, chanting “Baba! Jowi!” in disbelief.
⚖️ The Lesson Behind the Rumours
The wave of false reports before Raila’s death reflects a troubling trend in modern politics — the spread of misinformation during moments of uncertainty.
For Odinga, a lifelong advocate for truth and transparency, the rumours were a final test of patience and principle.
Even in his last days, he remained composed, embodying the calm resilience that had defined his entire career.
🕯️ A Farewell Beyond Words
In hindsight, Raila’s reaction to the death rumours reveals much about his character. He neither lashed out nor sought pity. Instead, he met falsehoods with silence and dignity — trusting that time would reveal the truth.
As Kenyans prepare for his final send-off, one thing is clear: even amid misinformation and chaos, Raila Odinga stood firm — a statesman until the end.
“Go well, Baba,” read one placard in Kisumu. “You silenced lies with grace.”
