NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s longtime aide Maurice Ogeta has clarified that a viral video showing the late opposition leader walking in a hospital gown was recorded in Dubai in 2020, not in India shortly before his death.
Ogeta, who served as Raila’s aide and personal security guard for 29 years, said the widely circulated clip was taken after the former Prime Minister underwent his first surgery in Dubai.
In an interview with local television stations, Ogeta dismissed claims that the footage showed Raila during his final days at a hospital in India, where he died on October 15, 2025.
“Whatever clip that was circulated that went viral or whatever it is, of him in a gown and I was behind, that was not the clip of India. That was the previous clip when we were in Dubai when he did his first surgery,” Ogeta said.
Records indicate that Raila underwent surgery on June 21, 2020, for spinal canal stenosis, a condition involving narrowing of the spinal canal. The procedure was performed at a facility run by a German organisation in Dubai.
He spent about three weeks recovering before returning to Kenya in July 2020.
The video resurfaced following his death, triggering online speculation and conflicting accounts about his final days.
Ogeta Recounts Raila’s Final Morning
During the interview, Ogeta also gave a detailed account of the events leading up to Raila’s collapse during his morning exercise routine at a facility in Kerala, India.
He said the morning began normally, with Raila waking up on his own before the two met in the corridor and proceeded to the living room and veranda.
Ogeta said Raila was preparing for his usual morning walk when he advised him to stretch while seated before starting the exercise.
The former Prime Minister complied and asked for a glass of water, which Ogeta said he brought to him.
“So I got him that and he was so much in good moods,” Ogeta recalled.
According to Ogeta, they completed the first round of their walk, covering approximately 50 metres. However, during the second round, Raila suddenly stopped.
“I asked him what’s up, he said it’s like something has hit him,” Ogeta said.
He said he asked Raila whether he was experiencing pain in his back or leg, but the former Prime Minister did not respond.
Ogeta recalled that Raila tilted his head towards him and extended his hand before losing control of his body.
“He just did this (tilted his head towards Ogeta) then gave me his hand. By the time I was trying to hold his hand so that we walk, I realised he was coming the whole body. He had lost control of his body,” he said.
Ogeta said he supported Raila as he collapsed, gently laid him on the cabro-paved ground, placed him in the recovery position and called for help.
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Ruth Odinga, Winnie Defend Family’s Account
Raila’s death triggered widespread mourning and online speculation, prompting members of his family and inner circle to explain what happened during his final hours.
His sister, Ruth Odinga, said she made the difficult decision to switch off the life-support machines after doctors indicated that nothing more could be done to save him.
Ruth said Raila had been resting at a resort in Kerala and became unwell after feeling tired during a morning walk. His condition deteriorated before he was rushed to hospital.
His daughter, Winnie Odinga, also defended the family’s account, saying she was present during her father’s final treatment and that he died from natural medical complications.
Doctors at Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, said Raila had a history of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and deep vein thrombosis.
According to the doctors, he arrived at the hospital without a detectable pulse or blood pressure and was pronounced dead on the morning of October 15, 2025.
Ogeta Recalls Final Conversation With Raila
Ogeta also recounted what he described as his last conversation with Raila, which took place on the veranda before they began their morning walk.
He said they were discussing a woman working in a garden near the facility where the former Prime Minister was staying.
During the conversation, Raila reflected on his upbringing and the hard work he undertook as a young man, including fetching firewood and water and working on the farm.
Ogeta said Raila explained that, despite being the son of a former Vice President, his childhood involved responsibilities that many people might not have expected.
“There was no any other word other than the conversation we were having about the shamba and all that,” Ogeta said.
