President William Ruto has revealed details of his last engagements with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing their final weeks of communication as difficult due to Raila’s declining health.
Speaking during Raila’s funeral ceremony in Bondo, Siaya County, President Ruto said he frequently consulted with the ODM leader and remained in close contact even as his health worsened.
“We consulted with him often, but the last one and a half months were difficult,” Ruto said.
“Every time I met Raila, his voice was hoarse, and he kept telling me he was weak because he was taking some medication.”
The President said he continued checking on Raila’s condition even while on official duty abroad.
“When I went to New York for the UN General Assembly, I kept track of what he was doing,” he said.
“I told him that I would pass through Dubai on my way back for a check-up and that we would meet when I returned, because I was concerned about his health.”
Ruto recalled that the two met again shortly before Raila’s death.
“When Tuesday came, Raila called and told me he wanted to come to my office,” he said.
“But I told him, because you are unwell, go home and I will come to see you in the evening.”
He said they spoke at length that evening about Raila’s condition and the treatment he was receiving and that is when he told them that government would cater for his treatment wherever he wanted.
“We talked for a long time, and he explained how he was feeling,” Ruto said.
“We all told him that we didn’t want any guesswork regarding his health and assured him that the government would facilitate any medical assistance he needed.”
Ruto’s remarks offered a rare glimpse into the personal relationship between the two leaders, who had moved from years of political rivalry to collaboration through the broad-based government.
The President joined thousands of mourners in Bondo to pay his final respects to Raila, praising him as a statesman, mentor, and patriot whose legacy would endure in Kenya’s democratic history.
