Kenya’s political scene has been ignited by a fierce war of words, with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party forcefully dismissing what it terms as “malicious and fabricated” reports about the health of its leader, Raila Odinga.
The party has not only denied the rumors but has launched a sharp counter-attack, directly accusing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of leading an “opposition” faction within the government that is orchestrating a smear campaign against the veteran politician.
The Allegations and the Firm Denial
Over the past few days, social media and some political circles have been rife with unverified claims suggesting that Raila Odinga is critically ill. The rumors gained enough traction to prompt an official response from his political camp.
In a strongly-worded statement, the ODM party dismissed the reports in their entirety. “The attention of the Orange Democratic Movement has been drawn to false, malicious, and fabricated reports circulating online regarding the health of our party leader, the Right Honorable Raila Odinga,” the statement read.
The party assured the public that Mr. Odinga is “in excellent health and high spirits” and remains actively engaged in his national and continental duties.
The Counter-Accusation: Gachagua’s “Opposition” Blamed
Moving beyond a simple denial, the ODM party named names. The statement took direct aim at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of being the mastermind behind a coordinated disinformation campaign.
The party alleged that Gachagua, whom they sarcastically referred to as the “leader of the opposition in government,” is presiding over a scheme to spread falsehoods to discredit and destabilize their leader. This framing is a direct retort to Gachagua’s own frequent claims that the Kenya Kwanza administration faces an “opposition” led by Raila Odinga.
“This is a desperate attempt by Mr. Gachagua and his cohorts to remain relevant and create artificial political drama to cover for the government’s failures,” the ODM statement asserted.
A Deeper Political Context
This incident is the latest flare-up in the ongoing political cold war between the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance and the Azimio la Umoja coalition, led by Raila Odinga. The use of health rumors as a political tool is not new in Kenyan politics, but the directness of the accusation against a sitting Deputy President marks a significant escalation.
By labeling Gachagua as the head of an internal “opposition,” ODM is attempting to turn his own rhetoric against him and paint the government as divided and preoccupied with political witch-hunts rather than governance.
Public Reaction and the Road Ahead
The public reaction has been predictably divided along political lines. Supporters of Azimio have expressed outrage at the rumors and backed ODM’s stance, while allies of the government have dismissed the party’s accusations as a diversionary tactic.
As of now, there has been no direct public response from Deputy President Gachagua’s office regarding these specific allegations.
Conclusion: A Battle of Narratives
This episode underscores that in the high-stakes arena of Kenyan politics, information—and misinformation—is a powerful weapon. The ODM’s forceful rebuttal is not just about protecting their leader’s image; it’s an aggressive move in a broader battle for political narrative and public perception.
One thing is clear: as the 2027 elections slowly come into view, the political temperature in Kenya is only set to rise, with personal attacks and strategic leaks likely becoming more frequent.
