The aide to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Dennis Onyango, has unequivocally stated that whatever the late leader was ailing from was not something that could have killed anyone.

Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Tuesday, February 17, 2025, Onyango said that based on his own assessment, the condition Raila was in was not life-threatening and did not warrant death.

Onyango further added that he was among those who convinced Raila to seek treatment abroad.

“What I know is that Raila was unwell; it wasn’t something that could have killed anybody. I am one of the people who urges him to go and seek treatment abroad,” Onyango said.

He recalled that even on the day the late leader decided to travel for medical care, they were together, and Onyango spoke to him three days before his death through the phone of Migori-based businessman Oketch Salah, who also doubles as Raila Odinga’s adopted son.

Onyango noted that during the phone call, Raila was prepared to return to the country and continue his work, including plans for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) at its 20th anniversary celebrations that were to be held on the coast.

He added that even the Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o was with him in seeing off the late leader, confirming that Raila was not in bad shape when leaving for India, where he eventually passed away.

Onyango contended that whatever happened later, leading to Raila’s demise, could be related to old age or existing health conditions, but in his opinion, it was not something that should have caused the death of a person of his stature. He described it as natural attrition.

“From a layperson, it was not something that could kill anybody when he was leaving here,” he added

Raila’s death controversies

This comes at a time when there is significant controversy surrounding the death of the late leader. James Orengo, the Siaya Governor, has questioned the circumstances of Raila’s death, arguing that it may not have been natural and stating that the right questions will be asked at the appropriate time.

Raila died on October 15, 2025, of a heart attack after battling deep vein thrombosis (DVT) amid other conditions such as diabetes.