NAIROBI, Kenya — Confusion and speculation have gripped Kenya following unconfirmed media reports claiming that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga collapsed and was hospitalised in India while undergoing Ayurvedic treatment.
As of Tuesday evening, neither the Odinga family nor the Kenyan government had issued an official statement confirming the reports of his death.
According to a report published by sections of the Indian press, including Mathrubhumi English, the 80-year-old opposition leader reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday morning while at a treatment facility in Koothattukulam, Kerala State.
The paper quoted unnamed hospital officials and local police who claimed Odinga collapsed during a morning walk and was later pronounced dead at a nearby private hospital.
However, as of press time, Kenyan authorities and Odinga’s party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), had not verified the claim. Efforts to reach ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and family spokespersons were unsuccessful, and multiple Kenyan newsrooms — including Nation, The Standard, Citizen Digital, Y news digital, and The Star — reported that they were still seeking official confirmation.
Earlier this week, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother, told reporters that the former Prime Minister was “up and about” and had travelled abroad for a routine medical check-up.
“Just like any other human being, he was indisposed a little and is now recuperating and resting,” he said. That statement came amid rising online rumours about the opposition leader’s health.
The Indian reports have not been corroborated by Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which typically handles notifications in the event of such incidents abroad. The Kenyan High Commission in New Delhi has also not issued a formal comment.
Reuters, BBC, and other international news agencies are yet to publish official confirmation, underscoring the caution with which the story is being treated globally. Journalists from Nation Media Group and Citizen TV indicated that their teams are working to verify details directly with medical and diplomatic sources in India.
For now, what remains clear is that conflicting information surrounds Odinga’s health status. Officials close to the family are urging the public to await verified communication rather than rely on viral online posts or unverified foreign reports.
Raila Odinga, a veteran of Kenya’s democracy struggle, has dominated national politics for more than four decades, serving as the country’s second Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013. His influence and following cut across political divides, making any news about his health or well-being a matter of national concern.
Until official confirmation is issued by his family or ODM, media houses and the public are advised to treat all reports of his death or hospitalisation with caution and rely only on statements released through verified channels.
