Former senior advisor to President William Ruto, Moses Kuria
has slammed opposition politicians for making disparaging remarks about ODM
leader Raila Odinga’s health.
In a statement seen by The Star, Kuria described their
comments as inhumane and politically bankrupt.
He recounted moments when the ODM leader personally visited
him in hospital during his prolonged illnesses, despite their deep political
differences at the time.
“It pains me to the core,” Kuria wrote on X.
“In 2020 during Covid, I was hospitalised for 40 days. Baba
Raila Amolo Odinga risked his life and visited me in hospital. In late 2021 and
early 2022, I was hospitalised for five months. Baba visited me three times at
Karen Hospital and once in Dubai. That was when I was in Tanga Tanga and he was
in Azimio.”
The CS, who served as a vocal ally of then-Deputy President
William Ruto before joining the Kenya Kwanza government, said former Prime
Minister’s gestures of compassion transcended political rivalry.
“This most compassionate man is the one some are saying bad
things regarding his health in political rallies. This pains me to the core.
Politics is not everything. I hate you all,” Kuria lamented.
His statement comes amid growing concern over Raila’s health
following reports that the veteran opposition leader had recently travelled
abroad for medical attention.
The ODM leader’s aides however say that he is on one of his
routine travels and not sick.
“He definitely did not travel to Europe as picked from
bloggers and broadcast by some media houses. He is not indisposed, as prayed
for by his frustrated opponents,” his Spokesperson Dennis Onyango stated.
Onyango dismissed the claims he is sick, insisting that it
was misinformation being peddled by the opposition.
“The misinformation is broadcast by the same team that went
on a frenzy against Hon. Raila’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union
Commission earlier this year.
“The hope of this team then and now is to bully Hon. Raila
to provide a back for them to ride on in their struggle against President
William Ruto,” Onyango said.
Onyango accused the political figures led by impeached
former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka,
and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa of orchestrating a “familiar
campaign of misinformation” targeting the opposition leader.
Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Patriotic Front in a statement defended
him, dismissing speculation linking him to the spread of misinformation about
Raila’s health.
Wiper Secretary-General Senator Shakila Abdalla accused the ODM
party of unfairly targeting Kalonzo.
“Let it be stated clearly: Kalonzo Musyoka harbours no ill
whatsoever toward Mr Odinga. Any suggestion that he wishes harm upon Raila is
baseless and misleading,” Abdalla said.
She described ODM’s statement as a diversion from the
party’s own challenges and maintained that Wiper had no role in any discussions
or reports concerning Raila’s health.
“ODM’s attempt to involve Kalonzo Musyoka in its internal
matters is unnecessary and unfounded,” she added.
Abdalla also dismissed claims that Kalonzo was behind any
misinformation regarding Mr Odinga’s unsuccessful bid for the African Union
Commission (AUC) chairmanship, saying the outcome had nothing to do with the
Wiper leader.
