Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga has opened up about the health condition that led to the death of his brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, revealing that he was battling a blood clot in his head before he passed away in India.
Speaking during an interview on NTV on Sunday night, Oburu said doctors in Nairobi had diagnosed Raila with the clot and placed him on strong medication to help dissolve it — a treatment that left him weak and forced him to withdraw from public life weeks before his demise.
“It was some clot that was discovered on his head, and it was being dissolved by our doctors here in Nairobi,” Oburu explained.
He added that while Raila’s condition had worried the family, it was not initially deemed critical.
“I just said that he is unwell, like all human beings become unwell at any other time. He was not in a critical condition,” Oburu clarified.
Raila’s Withdrawal from Public Life
Due to the heavy medication, the ODM leader skipped several public engagements, including the burial of former minister Dalmas Otieno in Migori, where Oburu represented him. His party also cancelled the planned 20th Anniversary celebrations at the last minute.
“I went to represent him there because he was feeling weak and tired because of that kind of medication,” Oburu recounted.
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Ruto’s Role in Raila’s Evacuation to India
The senator also disclosed details of a private meeting held at Raila’s Karen home, attended by President William Ruto and himself, which ultimately led to Raila’s evacuation to India for specialized treatment.
Oburu revealed that conflicting medical opinions between Kenyan doctors and specialists in Dubai about Raila’s condition prompted urgent intervention from the President.
“My brother had told me that Ruto was to come to his house at 6 p.m., and I should join them. I went there and waited for him for about an hour, but he finally came,” Oburu narrated.
During the meeting, Ruto and the doctors agreed that Raila needed immediate evacuation to India for advanced treatment.
“We agreed that he must go there immediately because there were conflicting positions taken by doctors in Dubai and here. His personal doctor was even given an opportunity to look at the details,” Oburu said.
President Ruto reportedly facilitated a chartered flight that transported Raila to Mumbai.
“The President took that matter seriously and organised for his evacuation to India. I am very grateful to him for what he did. His quick reaction helped us act fast,” he added.
Treatment and Recovery in India
Upon arrival in Mumbai, doctors successfully cleared the clot, and Raila showed remarkable recovery.
“When he went to India, they managed to clear that clot that was there in Mumbai. So, by the time he left the hospital, he was up and about, alive and kicking,” Oburu said.
After his discharge, the former Prime Minister travelled to Kerala, in southern India, where he spent about a week recuperating before his condition reportedly worsened.
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A Brother’s Farewell
Oburu, who described Raila as his “twin brother” despite their one-year age gap, expressed deep sorrow at his passing and used the platform to condemn recent remarks by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who made controversial comments about Raila’s death.
He termed Kahiga’s remarks “childish and insensitive,” urging leaders to show respect to the departed and their grieving families.
Raila Odinga’s death marks the end of a political era in Kenya, closing the chapter of a man who for decades symbolized opposition politics, reform, and resilience.
