Raila’s fight for health in last moments – Ruto

President William Ruto at the burial ceremony of former PM Raila Odinga at his Opoda farm in Bondo, Siaya county on October 19, 2025/PCS

In an emotionally charged eulogy that laid bare their profound personal and political bond, the President spoke of Raila’s desperate fight for health in his last days.

Speaking before a sombre crowd during Raila’s funeral service in Bondo, Sunday, Ruto unmasked the secrecy that had shrouded the opposition leader’s sudden demise.

He shared the intimate consultations that ensued, the urgent medical interventions, and the heartbreaking series of phone calls.

“We consulted with Raila more often. The last one and a half months were tough,” Ruto said, his voice heavy with the weight of the recent memories.

He recounted Raila’s own assessment of his condition. “He kept telling me, ‘I am weak because I am taking some drugs’,” Ruto said.

The president detailed a concerning health journey that had preoccupied Raila in his final weeks.

“He explained to me that he had gone to Dubai, and an American hospital and was told a few things about his health,” he said.

The president recounted how he held talks with the former Premier and his personal doctor, Oluoch Olunya, on the way forward for a permanent solution.

“After the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly), I kept track of what he was doing and told him I’d come back through Dubai and arranged to meet. His health was concerning to me.” 

Their collaborative efforts to save Raila came on a Tuesday evening at his Karen home, a meeting Ruto himself insisted upon.

“He said he’d want to meet me in the office, and I asked him if we could meet at his home,” Ruto recounted.

That night, surrounded by family, including his wife, Mama Ida, who cooked dinner, his daughter Winnie, and his brother Oburu Odinga, a critical decision was made.

“He explained how he was feeling, and we resolved that he would travel to India,” the President said.

“We said we need no guesswork, and we told him we’d support him getting treatment anywhere. He was contemplating Germany, China and we settled on India. We facilitated everything he wanted.”

But the hope sparked by that Karen dinner was tragically short-lived.

“It was not easy because when we thought Baba was okay, and we had planned to come here for an investment conference, things changed,” Ruto said.

In a heart-wrenching account of Raila’s final hours, he spoke to the conversations that ensued, relayed through a series of frantic early morning messages.

“On my way to the office at about 6.40 am, Oburu wrote to me that ‘my brother is critically ill’. I asked what happened, and he briefed me.”

The President said he got concerned after the situation deteriorated with terrifying speed.

“Whoever escorted him said Raila is okay, and in a difference of 10 minutes, Oburu called and said Raila may have left us. He was not conclusive.” 

The final, devastating confirmation came from Winnie.

“Winnie called me and I asked her not to give me bad news, and she told me ‘My father is no more’.”

What followed were calls to the Indian government for logistical coordination and state intervention, the President detailing how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped.

“We contacted India and we requested they accord the support, and PM Modi put at our disposal all the support, including military support,” the President said.

Challenges emerged, with Ruto recounting how he had to calm concerns about flight arrangements.

“After planning how he’d be picked, his body, Winnie asked why a KQ plane was landing in Mumbai. I called Ruth and asked her to manage Winnie as we arranged the flight.”

Further complexity was added with the revelation of Raila’s will, a message that was delivered by Raila’s lastborn son, Junior.

“At about 9am, Junior said father had a will saying he’s to be buried in 72 hours and that he was sending the lawyer with the message of the will.”

Ruto described the delicate balancing act that ensued.

“We had a tough balance of his will, the reality of where he is, the church, the state, the place of culture.”

The president said it was the ‘act of God’ that the government, through the committee co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, managed to have the funeral succeed.

“That we are here to pay respect to Raila today is an act of God,” he said.

Ruto said he has discharged his responsibility to "a friend, brother and mentor", and a man whose school of politics he went to.

In his address, the President further defended the decision to grant Raila a State funeral despite his never being President.

“Many discouraged me that Raila was never President and that his respect be lowered, but I insisted that being the ‘People’s President’, he gets the same honours,” he said.

The president used the occasion to make a direct and solemn pledge to the Luo community and the nation on future engagements.

“To the Luo community, I assure you that by God’s grace, we will journey together in the direction Raila pointed to us. I will not betray the course upon which I have agreed with him.”

Painting a picture of a nation united in sorrow, Ruto said, “The nation is flowing with floods of tears, grief. Foundations of Kenya are shaken by the stomping footsteps of mourners. We come here to honour him with a lot of respect because of his contribution to our nation.”

Ruto also journeyed back in time, tracing the roots of his complex relationship with the departed Prime Minister.

“Raila and I knew each other when I was elected Eldoret North MP in 1997. I met him in Parliament and we grew fond ties and made a cooperation which saw him become Kanu secretary general.”

He spoke of their work on the new Constitution and the formation of ODM.

“I can confidently say, as Ida said, Raila was a political engineer, and among his many students was yours truly, William Ruto.”

In a recollection of the intense 2022 election, Ruto shared a unique perspective.

“Many people who supported me were concerned that I was not worried about 2022. It was because it was between Raila and his mentee. It did not matter to me the outcome because either he was to win or his student,” he said.

“What he planned in housing, healthcare and education was the same as my agenda. It was just a student and his teacher.”

The most telling disclosure was that he sought out Raila just months later.

“I told him that he was my teacher. In age, I should be your son, and for the love of God, I am the President, and I explained to him I want to give you some tidings.”

Ruto said how he offered to make amends. “I told him that without condition, I’d right the wrongs for the contribution he made to our nation,” the President said.

Concluding his historic eulogy, Ruto said he was elated that after the journey of politics, he was happy that God gave him the chance to bring ODM to government.

In response to news headlines of how the death of Raila is a blow to his political game plan, the President admitted, “Big blow? Yes, it is.”

He praised Raila’s family, singling out Winnie Odinga, for their devotion.

“I must commend members of his family because they were always there for Raila, especially Winnie Odinga. I must also thank Ruth Odinga for being there for her brother. They kept calling.”

The funeral service was attended by Kenyans of all walks of life, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila’s long-time friend former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The wife of the late Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and the late John Pombe Magufuli's daughter Jessica Magufuli were also present.