The team of Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has dismissed claims circulating online that the veteran opposition figure is unwell, terming the reports as false and politically motivated.
In a statement on Sunday, Raila’s long-serving spokesperson Dennis Onyango accused rival political operatives of manufacturing rumors about Odinga’s health in a bid to discredit him. Onyango singled out groups previously associated with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, alleging they had resorted to coordinated misinformation campaigns.
“The lies are being peddled by people who fear Raila’s influence and want to weaken public confidence in his leadership,” Onyango said. “They have gone as far as deploying AI-generated images and hiring bloggers to push this false narrative.”
He clarified that Raila, 80, left the country on Friday evening for a private trip and not for treatment abroad as some reports suggested. Onyango declined to reveal the destination, only noting that the trip was part of the ODM leader’s routine travel schedule.
The Raila camp further pointed to Odinga’s history of transparency regarding health matters. In 2010, the former Prime Minister publicly disclosed that he had undergone minor surgery, and in 2021 he announced his positive test for Covid-19. “Raila has never hidden from Kenyans when he has faced medical issues,” Onyango said. “There is no reason he would start doing so now.”
The statement comes amid heightened political activity as leaders jostle to shape alliances ahead of 2027. Odinga, who has unsuccessfully contested the presidency five times, remains a central figure in Kenya’s political landscape and continues to push for what he terms a broad-based government that reflects national unity.
Onyango urged the public to ignore “malicious fabrications” and assured supporters that Odinga remains in good health. “Whether at home or abroad, Raila is fully engaged in the mission of uniting Kenyans and advancing a stable, inclusive government,” he added.
The development underscores how digital platforms, including social media and emerging AI tools, are increasingly being weaponized in Kenya’s political battles—fueling speculation, disinformation, and partisan narratives ahead of critical moments on the national stage.
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