Raila has already set ODM’s course for next 100 years – Kaluma
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 11, 2025Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Kaluma has dismissed those wishing harm on Raila Odinga, saying the ODM leader already defined his supporters’ political direction long ago.
Kaluma said Raila does not need to give new instructions because his guidance and ideals will continue shaping ODM politics for generations.
“Don’t pray for anything bad to befall Raila. You will get nothing from it. Baba has directed the political stance of we his supporters for the next 100 years,” Kaluma wrote on X on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
His statement came as several ODM leaders rallied behind Raila amid growing speculation about his health.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the opposition should stop dragging Raila’s name into their politics.
“It cannot be every day, Raila this, Raila that. He is not at your level,” Nassir said. “Whatever Raila has done for this country, you cannot match.”
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina also urged leaders to show respect, describing Raila as a veteran whose contributions to Kenya’s democracy cannot be overlooked.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga accused Deputy Prime Minister Rigathi Gachagua’s faction of spreading lies about Raila’s health.
“Do not touch Baba, leave Baba alone,” she warned.
Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu added that using someone’s health for political gain was insensitive and wrong.
“Raila Odinga can not be his agenda if he wants to rule this country. Can he tell Kenyans what he wants to do for this country? Talking about Raila’s ill health…who told him Raila is sick?” Buyu posed.
Opposition fires back
In his response, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua dismissed claims linking him or Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to Raila’s reported illness.
“Nimeona ati mzee wao ako na matatizo. Watu wa ODM wanataka kuekelea Kalonzo na mimi? Kwani Kalonzo ni bacteria? Yeye ni virus,“Gachagua said.
He added that he wished Raila good health, saying he wanted both Raila and President William Ruto to be on the ballot in 2027.
“We want both of them there so we can send them home,” Gachagua said.
At the same time, Kalonzo’s Wiper Party hit back at ODM, accusing it of twisting facts and using Raila’s name to deflect from its own internal issues. In a strongly worded statement, Wiper described ODM’s claims as an act of desperation, insisting that Kalonzo had no ill intentions toward his long-time ally.
Meanwhile, Raila’s wife, Ida Odinga, reassured Kenyans that the former Prime Minister was in good health. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon in Migori, she said Raila had travelled abroad to take a break, not for medical reasons.
“He is fine, he is just resting abroad,” Ida said. “How can people who don’t live with him claim to know his condition better than I do?”
ODM Communications Director Philip Etale also confirmed he had spoken to Raila, who laughed off the rumours and asked Kenyans to pray for those spreading propaganda.