A wave of solidarity swept through Siaya County on Sunday as Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and several ODM legislators rallied behind former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, dismissing mounting speculation about his health as baseless and politically motivated.
Speaking during the Sigand Nyi Nam event, Governor Wanga came out strongly against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of engaging in divisive politics at a time when the country needs unity and maturity in leadership.
“That opposition is imploding because one man called Gachagua is such a divisive character; he cannot bring people together. Baba is a uniter, Gachagua is a divider,” Wanga declared to the cheering crowd.
She also cautioned Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and other opposition-allied figures against tolerating such rhetoric, noting that political insults and misinformation only serve to weaken the coalition’s shared goals. “This man is insulting even those meant to be his partners. The other day, he said Matiang’i is a boardroom person who cannot be president,” she added.
Other women leaders present echoed Wanga’s sentiments, denouncing the opposition for what they termed deliberate attempts to mislead the public. Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu accused Gachagua of exploiting Raila Odinga’s health for political mileage.
“Raila Odinga cannot be his agenda if he wants to rule this country. Can he tell Kenyans what he wants to do? Talking about Raila’s ill health, who told him Raila is sick?” Buyu posed passionately.
She praised Odinga as “the glue that holds this country together,” adding that his leadership has been instrumental in maintaining national peace and stability.
Siaya Woman Representative Christine Ombaka and Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohamed also condemned the remarks, emphasizing that using someone’s health as a political weapon is unethical and dangerous.
Meanwhile, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, speaking separately in Ugunja Constituency, urged Kenyans to pray for Odinga’s continued strength and recovery, reiterating that the veteran leader remains a symbol of hope and resilience for many.
As political temperatures rise ahead of 2027, the message from ODM leaders remains clear, Raila Odinga’s health should not be trivialized or weaponized for political gain.
