Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga has revealed that President William Ruto played a key role in arranging medical treatment abroad for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking during the burial ceremony at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Oburu expressed deep gratitude to the Head of State for his support to the Odinga family during Raila’s illness and after his passing.
“I want to thank the President who has stood with us since the time I told him Raila was sick,” Oburu said.
“We sat down, and he is the one who organized the transport which flew Raila to India for treatment.”
He said President Ruto maintained close communication with the family throughout Raila’s hospitalization, often checking in on his condition.
“I also want to tell you the President kept vigil and always checked on him,” Oburu added.
The senator recounted that he was the one who informed the President about Raila’s deteriorating condition shortly before his death.
“The day Raila died, I was the one who called him and told him he was in a very critical condition after I was told by my sister,” he said.
“I called the President again and informed him, and he was very sad but he organized everything.”
Oburu noted that the support provided by President Ruto eased what would have been a heavy burden for the family as they dealt with the loss of the ODM leader.
“All these arrangements would have been too heavy for the family. Thank you, Your Excellency,” he said.
Raila Odinga, who served as Kenya’s second Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013, passed away on Wednesday October 15, 2025.
His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the world, with leaders and citizens alike hailing his decades-long fight for democracy and social justice.
The late opposition leader will be laid to rest their family home in Kang'o ka'Jaramogi, in Bondo, where a state funeral is scheduled to take place.
