Raila undergoes tests on day two in hospital

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga (pictured) is recuperating at Nairobi Hospital after he complained of fatigue.

Raila’s personal doctor Oluoch Olunya, in a statement, said he checked himself in for a routine check-up.

“Raila needed to have some check -up. They were carried out successfully. He is still undergoing further investigations with a team of doctors and has been advised to take a rest,” said Dr Olunya, a consultant neurosurgeon.

He added: “We are continuing to monitor his condition and no doubt he will be able to address the country in due course. He is in good spirits.”

The doctor’s statement puts to rest, speculation about Raila’s health after he was not seen in public on Tuesday, to commemorate the third anniversary of the Handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“Raila walked in for routine medical tests at the Nairobi Hospital on March 9 after feeling some fatigue. He has had a rigorous campaign and needed to have some check-up,” explained Dr Olunya.

Raila’s elder brother Oburu Odinga and his personal assistant Dennis Onyango said he was out of danger.

More tests

Raila who is admitted to Nairobi Hospital’s VIP wing was said to be in a jovial mood by those that visited him.

By yesterday, sources indicated that the former Premier was still waiting for the outcome of two more tests.

Oburu told KTN, in an exclusive interview that Raila had complained of fatigue and joints pain before he sought treatment.

“Raila is indisposed from fatigue and having some joint pains, there is nothing serious. The medical tests have been done, the Covid-19 test result has not come out,” he said.

He added, “There was no sign of it, because we were together. He has no signs of cough or others. We noticed he did not have pains in the chest, it is general joints pains and fatigue.”

Mr Onyango said the ODM leader was admitted in hospital for further check -up.

ODM wished Raila quick recovery and suspended all its grassroots political activities. Chairman John Mbadi said: “We pray for him to recover as soon as possible.”

Elgeyo/Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen said: “ I wish Raila Odinga a very quick recovery. We need the former PM back to his energetic self to continue with the journey of making our nation and our young democracy stronger. My prayers and best wishes to him.”

The ODM leader last week camped at the Coast, for five days where he held rallies in Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties to drum up support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Sources said Raila was scheduled to travel out of the country and return next week to hit the ground running with a rally in Nyeri county.

Raila and his allies are unhappy with Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho’s interference with the BBI which has raised speculation of Handshake crisis.

The ODM leader has been under pressure from his close allies to avoid meeting with the President if it involves other political players.

Three weeks ago, after a meeting between Uhuru, Raila and five party leaders at State House, they announced a joint consultative meeting on March 9, that was also to involve MPs and counties’ leadership.

The joint meeting was meant to set the stage for promoters of BBI to start civic education across the country.

Party leaders present at the meeting were Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Senator Gideon Moi (Kanu), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) Senator Moses Wetangula (Ford-Kenya) and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu (Narc).

The Tuesday meeting aborted amid claims that Raila had a meeting with Uhuru at State House.

Raila’s last public appearance was on Saturday when he hosted a delegation from Narok and Kajiado counties at his Karen residence in Nairobi, a day after he returned to Nairobi from Coast.

This is the same day, Senator James Orengo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo accused unnamed senior civil servants from the office of the President of hatching a plot to short-change Raila and frustrate the BBI process.

Suna East MP Junet Mohammed who is also BBI co-chair didn’t mince his words when he accused the Interior PS for a being a stumbling block in the BBI process and called for his removal.

ODM has raised concerns, even questioning why individuals who were not the main stakeholders in the Handshake are now taking lead in most matters.

“We know the die is cast. We are never lost for options and are always steps ahead. We are the stakeholders in the Handshake and will not stop championing the BBI process,” said an ODM official.