My condition was not critical — Raila Odinga

Raila Odinga hospitalised after addressing rallies in Kilifi

What you need to know:

  • Before being taken to hospital, Mr Odinga had addressed a series of rallies in Kilifi County.

Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga has said he is healthy, moments after being discharged from Mombasa Hospital after being treated for stomach pains.

Before being taken to hospital, Mr Odinga had addressed a series of rallies in Kilifi County.

"I am as fit as a fiddle. I have been discharged to go to Nairobi to continue with my campaigns.

"I had stomach pains, which have since disappeared after getting treatment," Mr Odinga said during a press briefing after being discharged.

Mr Odinga had arrived at Moi International Airport, Mombasa, in two helicopters accompanied by co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, when he suddenly fell ill.

AIRPORT
Those who saw him at the airport said he looked well and even greeted and waved at passengers.

However, after a few minutes, airport staff were seen rushing into the lobby and they dashed out carrying water.

Then three vehicles — black, silver and white — came in and picked him up, sources said.

Nasa co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, with other coalition members, addresses journalists on July 9, 2017 at Mombasa Hospital, where Raila Odinga was admitted. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

FOOD POISONING

Nurses at Mombasa Hospital who spoke to the Nation said Mr Odinga was taken straight to the emergency wing.

Mr Odinga’s spokesman Dennis Onyango said the ODM leader was taken off the plane on his way to Nairobi after Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho realised he was unwell.

He said initial reports indicated Mr Odinga could have suffered from food poisoning “but tests are yet to be done”.

“Governor Joho provided doctors ... they will carry out the tests before (Mr Odinga) possibly being flown to Nairobi,” Mr Onyango said.

Mvita MP Abdullswamad Nassir at Mombasa Hospital, where Raila Odinga was admitted. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

CANCEL TRIP
Later, Mr Odinga’s aide Salim Lone said the opposition leader was feeling much better and the doctor “just wants to observe him for the next one hour”.

Speaking at the hospital, Mvita MP Abdullswamad Nassir said: “Baba (Mr Odinga) is stable.” He added: “I received a call and came to see him but he was okay. He asked for his wife to be informed and we called her.”

Reports indicated that, while at the airport, Mr Odinga’s colleagues, who included Siaya Senator James Orengo, prevailed upon him to cancel the trip although he felt there was no need.

RALLY

His handlers insisted that the doctor felt there was no cause for alarm.

Mr Odinga also held a series of meetings in Kwale County on Sunday.