Raila did not collapse. He sat down and died
Raila Odinga’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, has shared some heartfelt details about the former Prime Minister’s last moments before his unexpected passing.
Ruth, who also serves as the Kisumu Woman Representative, mentioned that Raila was in good spirits and looking forward to coming home on Thursday.
She was one of the close family members who traveled with Raila to India for his treatment.
His youngest daughter, Winnie Odinga, was by his side as well.
Earlier this week, photos from India captured him looking cheerful, dressed casually, and appearing quite relaxed.
Ruth clarified that Raila wasn’t in a hospital on Wednesday; instead, he was at a resort, enjoying time with family after his medical checkup.
She noted that Raila had shown significant improvements and was even getting ready to head back home on Thursday.
“We were not even at the hospital, we were just at a resort where we were staying ahead of our return on Thursday,” Ruth said on Wednesday evening.
“He was just okay, he was doing his normal walk and we were supposed to come back tomorrow (Thursday).”
According to her, the 80-year-old former prime minister was in good spirits during his morning walk.
“He didn’t collapse,” she said.
“He just said he was feeling a little tired and sat down. We thought it was just fatigue from the walk and then called for an ambulance.”
An ambulance was called, and Raila was quickly taken to Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, where, despite the doctors’ best efforts to save him, he sadly passed away.
The hospital reported that the opposition leader collapsed during a morning walk around 8:30 AM Indian time, right on the grounds of the Ayurvedic wellness center where he had been recovering.
Medical staff on-site sprang into action, administering CPR, but he was pronounced dead at 9:52 AM.
Doctors indicated that Raila had been receiving treatment for diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled as part of the standard medical and legal procedures.
According to Mathrubhumi.com, an Indian news outlet, Raila was at the Ayurvedic center to rest and recover after suffering a mild stroke while in Kenya.
A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed that he had been under regular care and was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
Interestingly, this same hospital had previously treated his daughter, Rosemary Odinga, who regained her sight there after losing it a few years back.
Indian authorities have informed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) about Raila’s death for official processing, following international protocols.
The nation is now in mourning, with leaders and citizens reflecting on a man whose life was a testament to resilience, struggle, and hope.
Railas’s body arrived in Kenya on Thursday, with the plane landing at JKIA around 9:30 AM.
Before his death, there had been much public speculation about Raila’s health.
His elder brother, Senator Oburu Odinga, had recently reassured Kenyans that Raila was recovering well in India and dismissed any claims that he was in critical condition.
“I want to tell you that Raila is up and about. Just like any other human being, he was indisposed a little and is now recuperating and resting,” Oburu said last week.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has also come out strongly against the rumors about his health, accusing political opponents of spreading lies to tarnish his reputation.
Even with some hospital visits, including a surgery to drain brain fluid in Dubai and a minor back operation years ago, Raila stayed politically engaged, advocating for unity and governance reforms right up until the end.
As tributes flood in from around the globe, Raila Odinga is being celebrated as a beacon of resistance, reform, and democracy—a man whose long-standing fight transformed Kenya’s political scene and whose legacy will be felt for generations to come.
Raila did not collapse. He sat down and died
