President William Ruto has reflected on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s health challenges before his demise. In his tribute at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, Ruto revealed that the past one and a half months had been very difficult, as every time he met with Baba, his voice was hoarse.
Ruto disclosed that Raila kept telling him that he was weak because he was taking some drugs. He explained that Raila had gone to Dubai and visited an American hospital, where he was informed about certain health concerns.
Raila later returned to Dubai to visit a Canadian hospital. Upon returning, his doctors, led by Dr. David Olunya, who had been his personal doctor for many years, administered some medicines to him.
Ruto Reveals Raila’ Health Struggles in Final Months Before His Death
Ruto noted that when he went to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), he kept track of what Raila was doing.
“I told him I would come back, stopover in Dubai, and also do a medical checkup. I added that when I returned, I wanted us to meet because his health was very concerning to me,” he said.
“When I came back, I thought I would meet him on a Saturday or Sunday, but when I called, he told me that he had gone to Malindi. He said the doctors had advised him to rest there and that he would return on Tuesday. I told him it was okay.”
Also Read: ODM Bigwigs Clash Over Raila’s Final Words on Supporting Ruto in 2027
Ruto said he told Raila that he would go to the farm and return on Sunday, adding that he would wait to meet him on Tuesday. On that Tuesday, Raila called to say he was coming and wanted to meet him at the Statehouse.
The President Facilitating for Raila’s Treatment Abroad
However, the President advised him to go home since he was not feeling well and said he would come in the evening. That evening, Ruto visited him at home.
“I stayed with his brother, Oburu Odinga, and his daughter, Winnie. We ate dinner together and talked. He told us everything about how he was feeling, and we all told him that we didn’t need guesswork on his health,” Ruto recounted.
“He and his doctors had to decide, and I told him that the government of Kenya would take care of him and that he could go wherever he wanted to seek medication.”
At the same time, Ruto said Raila sought medical help from different facilities across the world before settling in India, where he passed away.
“He first thought of Germany and China, before settling on India, where he has friends. We facilitated everything that the former Prime Minister wanted,” the Head of State said.
Ruto said it was not easy because, while they thought Baba was okay and he had called many people saying he was fine.
They had been planning to come to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University on Thursday, October 16, for the investment conference.
“When we thought Baba was okay, he called many people, saying he was fine, and doctors had asked him to make a follow-up visit in six months. We had plans to visit the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium, but that obviously did not happen,” Ruto recalled.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
