An attempt by ODM to dismiss rumours about Raila Odinga’s health backfired this week after a photo posted by the party’s communications director inadvertently confirmed the very claims the party had been denying.
Philip Etale, ODM’s Director of Communications, shared a photo on Twitter/X showing Raila Odinga watching an Arsenal vs. West Ham match, aiming to prove that the ODM leader was healthy and abroad on a routine trip — not hospitalized, as some reports had suggested.
In the tweet, Etale captioned:
“Baba enjoying a match between his favourite team Arsenal and their neighbours West Ham FC yesterday somewhere in this world. He was so excited when the Gunners gunned the Hummers 2-0. FIRE HOSE Reel CLEANING IN PROGRESS.”
Photo Shared by ODM Confirms Raila Odinga Hospitalised in Dubai
However, the post immediately drew attention from Kenyan users online, who scrutinized the background of the image. Within hours, digital users identified a sign on the wall behind Odinga with the name “King’s College Hospital London”, a medical facility located in Dubai.
This discovery sparked fresh speculation and widespread criticism, suggesting that ODM had attempted to conceal the real reason for Raila’s trip abroad. The party had earlier insisted that Raila was on a personal trip and in good health. Following the online backlash and viral posts highlighting the hospital signage, Etale quietly deleted the tweet.
Public Doubts and Political Fallout
The deleted image has reignited public questions about the transparency surrounding Odinga’s health. For days, ODM had been fighting back claims that the former Prime Minister was critically ill, accusing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka of sponsoring misinformation campaigns and spreading falsehoods about Odinga’s condition.
Gachagua has since denied involvement in any such campaign and dismissed ODM’s public statements as desperation. Speaking in a separate interview, the Deputy President said ODM’s reactions were “the last kicks of a dying horse,” and warned that the party had lost credibility following its political partnership with the Ruto administration.
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