Dennis Onsarigo, who was the press secretary for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has come out to reveal how former President Uhuru Kenyatta used to support Raila during times of illness.

While speaking in an interview aired on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, on the Iko Nini podcast, Onsarigo said that the former head of state, while still in office, used to go out of his way to make sure that his then “handshake brother” was well.

Onsarigo continued to state that in 2020, when Raila was struck down by COVID-19, former President Uhuru Kenyatta tried everything within his ability to ensure that Raila received the best medical care.

“During this period, Uhuru went out of his way to make sure that Raila received the best medical care and was well taken care of,” he said.

He expressed his disappointment that, during the same time, when Raila had relapsed from COVID-19 and was in bed struggling to breathe with an oxygen concentrator beside him, only his daughter Winnie Odinga kept him company.

Some politicians then allied to Raila went to State House to meet the former president. According to Onsarigo, this sent the wrong signal, since, at such a critical time when Raila was battling for his life, such a move could have been interpreted as discussing or planning to take over from him, as if Raila was not going to survive.

However, after sharing the scenario with Raila, who was bedridden at the time, he dismissed it as a non-issue, saying that it was part of the 2022 election plan.

The illness

Onsarigo continued to state that if Raila were to die, it could have happened in 2020, as COVID-19 had severely affected his lungs. He could barely breathe; initially, they had managed it, but after a few days, the virus relapsed, and he had to be hospitalised again.

Onsarigo also went on to praise President William Ruto for the role he played in Raila’s medical care, saying that the president was also concerned and helped plan for his medication and treatment.

Oburu’s account

This aligns with Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, who has, on numerous occasions, appreciated President William Ruto for intervening to ensure that Raila received proper care and even planning for his treatment overseas in India.