List of leaders who have publicly raised questions about cause of Raila’s death
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 26, 2026With grass now beginning to grow on the grave of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose death dealt a devastating blow to the country, questions have started emerging over the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Raila had defined Kenya’s political landscape for over 30 years, and his absence left many wondering how the nation would move forward without him.
Although no suspicions were publicly raised immediately after his death, doubts have recently begun to surface, with some leaders questioning whether he truly died of natural causes.
Siaya Governor James Orengo has been at the forefront of raising concerns. He has repeatedly claimed that Raila was killed and did not die of natural causes, as officially stated.
However, Orengo has been economical with details, maintaining that he will speak out fully when the right time comes.
Speaking at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega Town on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Orengo claimed that the same individuals he believes were behind Raila’s death are now plotting to destroy his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which Raila led for more than two decades after its formation in 2005.
“Kifo ya Raila Odinga wameua Raila Odinga; sasa wanataka kuua chama cha Raila,” Orengo said.
Kalonzo backs Orengo
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, while speaking during a church service at PCEA Utawala on Sunday, February 22, 2026, backed Orengo’s concerns, stating that since such serious claims have been made, a thorough and independent investigation should be conducted to address the lingering questions and calm public anxiety.
“James Orengo has been speaking since Raila Amolo Odinga left us. He has a lot of questions. And so Jim was very categorical. Alisema kuwa Raila aliuliwa; in order to deal with that lingering issue, I would want to suggest a thorough inquest so that Kenyans can know the truth,” Kalonzo said.
Raila’s sister and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, when recently asked during an interview with a local TV station on February 18, 2026, about the matter, hesitated and did not give a direct answer. Like Orengo, she indicated that she would speak at the appropriate time.
Caleb’s concerns on Raila’s death
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, on Monday, October 27, 2025, also expressed dissatisfaction, saying there is more than meets the eye regarding the circumstances of Raila’s death.
While acknowledging the family’s mourning period, he stated that at the right time he would begin asking questions, noting that Raila was not an ordinary citizen whose death could simply be brushed aside.
“Yeah, I don’t want to be the speculator or the spreader of rumours, but I think there are a lot of question marks. Very soon, we’ll start asking questions. When the morning period ends, we will start asking questions,” Amisi said during an interview on Obinna TV.
According to him, there remains a lacuna surrounding the events that led to his passing.
“Baba is not any other Kenyan. This was an international icon. Is he an international enigma? I think there is a big gap,” he added.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, on his part, while speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, came out to back Kalonzo Musyoka’s and James Orengo’s concerns, saying that where there is smoke, there is fire.
Babu Owino’s concerns
He added that when the two leaders, both senior counsels and advocates of the High Court, raise suspicions, it is not something to take lightly.
However, he hesitated to delve deeply into the issue.
He followed suit by stating that he needs sufficient time and that, at the appropriate moment, he will come out to speak about it. He emphasised that he needs a lot of time to address the matter because he knows a lot about the death of Raila Odinga.
“My brother, where there is smoke, there is fire. You see, James Orengo is an advocate of the High Court, as is Kalonzo Musyoka as well – they are both senior counsels. Think about this issue of Baba and everything surrounding his death. I think we need sufficient time.”
“I also need time to talk about it. We all need time to talk about it.”
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has also raised questions, revealing that he intends to write a play titled ‘Who Killed Omollo’ to highlight suspicions that Raila may not have died of natural causes.
Other than the play, Malala, while speaking to a local radio station on January 26, 2026, questioned the circumstances surrounding the death of the enigma.
“Ruth Odinga said, ‘After I switched off that machine, I knew Kenya had lost,’ yet they also claimed Baba died while taking a walk at the hospital in India. How is that possible?” he asked.
He continued, “If Ruth was with Baba and switched off the machine, how is it that she later flew with Murkomen to India to bring his body back?”
Onyango’s perspective on Raila’s death
However, Raila’s long-serving aide Dennis Onyango recently dismissed the claims, insisting there was no foul play in the ODM leader’s death.
Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Tuesday, February 17, 2025, He explained that although the illness Raila was battling did not appear life-threatening at the time, there was no basis for the allegations.
“What I know is that Raila was unwell; it wasn’t something that could have killed anybody. I am one of the people who urge him to go and seek treatment abroad,” Onyango said.
He added that Anyang’ Nyong’o, the Kisumu governor, could also confirm Raila’s condition before he travelled for treatment.
It now remains a matter of waiting and seeing whether the leaders who have promised to speak out will eventually reveal what they believe caused the death of Raila Odinga.