There was panic among some Kenyans on Sunday night after word went round that Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga had been hospitalized. This came barely hours after he concluded his campaign in Kilifi County. He was reportedly at the airport to catch a flight to Nairobi.
At around 9pm, photos of Raila on a hospital stretcher started doing rounds on social media. Information was scanty and it was initially rumored to be another case of food poisoning.
A few hours later, Raila was discharged and addressed the media waiting outside the hospital. He assured that it was nothing serious, and the doctors examining him concluded it was a case of dehydration. According to Raila, all they did was give him water.
“I’m as fit as a fiddle,” he concluded.
Raila Odinga Previously health issues
Raila Odinga, the leader of Kenya’s opposition, has faced health issues during his visits to Mombasa. In February 2025, he held private talks with President William Ruto at State House in Mombasa, followed by a trip to Kisumu.
During this visit, Odinga clarified that he declared his candidacy for the African Union Commission chairmanship before President Ruto’s support, refuting claims that Ruto influenced his decision.
Previously, in 2020, Odinga was hospitalized in Mombasa due to food poisoning after experiencing stomach discomfort following a meal. His advisor, Salim Lone, stated that Odinga was taken to Mombasa Hospital when he noticed his stomach churning in the afternoon.
These incidents highlight Odinga’s health challenges during his time in Mombasa, including a significant food poisoning episode in 2020 and political engagements in 2025.
