In a rare public statement, Dennis Onyango, aide to the late former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga, insisted on Tuesday, February 17, 2025, that the former leader’s illness was not life-threatening.
Onyango spoke during an interview on TV47, seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding Raila’s health before his passing.
According to Onyango, Raila’s condition, while concerning, did not warrant fears of imminent death.
“What I know is that Raila was unwell; it wasn’t something that could have killed anybody. I am one of the people who urged him to go and seek treatment abroad,” Onyango said.
The aide added that, from a layperson’s perspective, Raila appeared stable when he departed for medical care outside the country.
“From a layperson, it was not something that could kill anybody when he was leaving here,” he noted, highlighting that his advice was aimed at ensuring the ODM leader received professional care.
Onyango’s remarks come amid ongoing public discussions about the former Prime Minister’s final days.
While Raila’s supporters have mourned the loss and questioned the handling of his medical care, Onyango sought to emphasize that seeking treatment abroad was a precautionary measure rather than a response to a terminal condition.
Eyewitness accounts from Raila’s inner circle describe him as determined to maintain his engagements and political duties despite health challenges.
Onyango’s statements further suggest that the decision to travel for treatment was driven by a desire for specialized care, rather than an urgent threat to life.
The aide’s public clarification also touches on the broader discourse surrounding leadership and health transparency.
By addressing speculation about the severity of Raila’s illness, Onyango aimed to provide context and assure the public that the late leader’s condition, while serious, was manageable at the time.
Raila Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan politics and long-time leader of the ODM party, spent decades shaping the country’s political landscape.
His passing has left a vacuum in national leadership discussions, prompting both reflection and debate over his legacy and the final decisions regarding his medical care.
Onyango reiterated his role in encouraging Raila to prioritize his health, stressing that the former Prime Minister’s journey abroad was meant to secure the best possible care.
His comments provide insight into the decision-making process behind one of Kenya’s most influential political figures in his final days.