Inside Raila’s last days: Ruto shares final moments with Raila in the weeks before his death
Ruto disclosed that Raila sought treatment from several medical facilities around the world before ultimately going to India, where he died.
President William Ruto has offered a rare glimpse into the final weeks of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing private conversations and the efforts made to secure medical care for the veteran leader before his passing.
Giving a heartfelt tribute at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, Ruto disclosed that Raila sought treatment from several medical facilities around the world before ultimately going to India, where he died.
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The President recounted that in one of their last meetings, Raila appeared weak and explained that he was on strong medication.
“He had visited Dubai and the United States, and they told him some things about his health. After he came back, his doctors administered more medicines to him,” Ruto said.
During a trip to New York, Ruto said Raila was constantly on his mind, and he had planned to meet him once he returned to Kenya.
“When I called him (after getting back to Kenya), he told me ‘William, I have gone to Malindi as per the doctors’ advice. I will be back on Tuesday.’ I told him okay,” he added.
The President noted that although Raila had planned to meet him that Tuesday, the President suggested he first go to his Karen residence, where they eventually met.
During this encounter, Raila explained his health struggles, and in the presence of his daughter, Mama Ida, and other family members, Ruto encouraged him to seek the best medical care available, fully funded by the government.
“He first thought of Germany and China, before settling on India, where he has friends. We facilitated everything that the former Prime Minister wanted,” Ruto said.
The President also shared that Raila had initially tried to reassure those around him, telling many people that he was doing fine and that doctors had asked him to make a follow-up visit in six months. Plans for a public visit to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium were also made, but never took place.
On October 15, 2025, Raila was taken to Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, India, where doctors battled to save his life. According to hospital officials, he was brought in after collapsing during his morning walk around 8:30 am Indian time.
Dr Sr Alphons said medics tried to resuscitate him through CPR and emergency intubation. “We continued CPR along with other resuscitative measures,” she said.
Dr Alphons detailed the medical interventions carried out before Raila’s death. She said the former Prime Minister had no detectable pulse or blood pressure upon arrival. After extensive CPR, a brief heart rhythm was noted but soon faded.
“He was stabilised with IV fluids and administered a clot-dissolving injection, reteplase, to address possible coronary blockage,” she said, adding that Raila had a history of diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and previous deep vein thrombosis.
Despite a full hour and fifty minutes of resuscitation efforts, the doctors pronounced him dead at 9:52 am.
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