Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has revealed that President William Ruto personally paid for Raila Odinga’s flight to India for medical treatment, underscoring the close cooperation and compassion the Head of State extended to the Odinga family in the final weeks of the former Prime Minister’s life.
Speaking during the state funeral of Raila Amolo Odinga at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Oburu detailed how President Ruto stood with the family from the onset of Raila’s illness to the final funeral arrangements.
Ruto’s Personal Support to Raila’s Family
“When Raila got unwell, we sat down — all three of us — and agreed he should seek treatment abroad,” Oburu said. “I want to thank His Excellency the President, who has stood with us right from the beginning. He is the one who paid for Raila’s ticket to India.”
According to Oburu, the family had a private meeting with President Ruto before Raila’s departure, where the Head of State offered to cover the cost of the flight and ensure the veteran politician received the best medical care possible.
“The President kept a vigil and constantly asked how Raila was doing during his treatment. On the day Raila died, I was the first to call him and break the news,” Oburu added, drawing emotional reactions from mourners.
A Gesture of Compassion and Unity
Oburu praised Ruto’s continued engagement with the family throughout the difficult period, noting that the President took a personal interest in facilitating both the medical evacuation and the state-organised farewell. “The President organised everything. All these arrangements would have been too heavy for us as a family,” he said.
Ruto’s actions, Oburu remarked, were not just official duties but a gesture of humanity and unity, bridging years of political rivalry between the two leaders. His involvement, from hospital coordination to the national funeral committee’s formation, was widely hailed as a symbol of maturity and reconciliation in Kenyan politics.
Final Moments and Call for Recognition
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, at Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Koothattukulam, India, after collapsing within the facility. He was pronounced dead at 9:53 a.m. Indian time (7:23 a.m. Nairobi time).
During his speech, Oburu also appealed to President Ruto to promote Raila’s security detail, particularly his longtime bodyguard Maurice Ogeta, who remained loyal until the very end. “These men stood by Raila day and night. They deserve recognition for their dedication,” Oburu said.
The revelation of Ruto’s behind-the-scenes assistance added a deeply personal dimension to the funeral, highlighting a rare moment of unity between former political adversaries and marking one of the most significant acts of goodwill in Kenya’s recent political history.
