Questions Gachagua wants answered on Raila's death

lFormer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying Kenyans deserve answers about what happened in the final hours of his life.

Speaking during a media briefing to assess the Kenya Kwanza administration’s four years in office, Gachagua said questions surrounding the deaths of several prominent Kenyans had remained unresolved. He questioned whether the circumstances surrounding Raila’s death had been adequately explained.

“Kenyans want to know what happened to Raila Odinga,” Gachagua said.

He questioned claims that Raila’s doctors were denied access to him in the final hours of his life and that instructions from his personal medical team against travelling were allegedly ignored.

“Why were the doctors of the late Prime Minister denied access to him in the last hours?” Gachagua asked.

“Why were instructions of Raila’s doctors ignored that Raila shouldn’t travel?” he added.

Gachagua also questioned the circumstances surrounding Raila’s travel to India, including the use of a private jet and the medical team that accompanied him.

“Why was a post-mortem not done on Raila? Why was he forced to go to India on a private jet?” Gachagua asked.

He further questioned the identity of the doctors who accompanied Raila to India, saying they allegedly travelled against the instructions of Raila’s personal doctor.

“Who are these doctors who accompanied Raila to India against the instructions of Raila’s personal doctor?” he asked.

Gachagua also raised questions about Raila’s burial arrangements, citing the former Prime Minister’s association with Luo traditions and customs.

“Raila Odinga respected Luo traditions and customs; how could he indicate that he should be buried in 72 hours against all Luo traditions?” Gachagua said.

“These are hard questions that Kenyans want to know,” he added.

Raila died on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving treatment in India. He passed away at Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, Kerala, after suffering a cardiac arrest while on a morning walk at an Ayurvedic wellness centre where he had been recuperating.

Before his death, Raila had been receiving management for conditions including diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease, while also undergoing rest following a mild stroke.