The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused the United Opposition of orchestrating a campaign of misinformation regarding the health of former Prime Minister and party leader Raila Odinga.

In a statement released on Sunday, October 5, 2025, the ODM party stated that the political faction led by impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, alongside Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, is behind the ongoing rumours about Odinga’s health.

ODM further accused the same group of previously launching a propaganda campaign during Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship earlier this year.

The party claimed that the team has co-opted sections of traditional media that are now amplifying false narratives derived from bloggers and AI-generated images, presenting them as legitimate news stories.

“The political formation of impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his struggling team of Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, among others, are on a familiar campaign of misinformation on the health of former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga,” ODM stated

The ODM maintained that the objective of these misinformation efforts is to provoke and politically corner Odinga, using his name to further the opposition’s agenda against President William Ruto’s administration.

The party clarified that Raila Odinga is in good health and dismissed reports suggesting he had travelled to Europe for medical reasons. It explained that the ODM leader had simply travelled out of the country on Friday evening, one of his many trips this year, emphasising that he is neither ill nor hospitalised.

Raila’s current health status

The statement further highlighted Raila Odinga’s long-standing openness about his health, noting that he has previously informed the public whenever he has undergone medical procedures, including during his tenure as Prime Minister in 2010 and when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2021.

“He told the country that he was undergoing a procedure when he was hospitalised as the sitting prime minister of the Republic of Kenya in June 2010. He told the country that he was diagnosed with COVID and hospitalised as the opposition leader in 2021. He would do the same today were he in the health situation his opponents wish,” it added.

ODM reiterated that Raila remains dedicated to the ideals of the broad-based government and continues to advocate for unity and compromise in addressing the country’s challenges.

The party concluded by stating that it understands the frustration of Odinga’s political opponents but insisted that spreading falsehoods about his health will not derail his mission or the work.