Raila Kalonzo Rift Widens as Wiper Fires Back Over Health Allegations

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Raila Kalonzo Rift Widens as Wiper Fires Back Over Health Allegations

The political drama surrounding ODM leader Raila Odinga’s health has taken a new turn after Wiper Democratic Movement hit back at claims that its leader Kalonzo Musyoka was spreading misinformation about the former Prime Minister.

In a statement issued on Sunday, October 5, Wiper’s leadership described ODM’s accusations as “baseless, desperate and misleading” and accused the Raila-led outfit of diverting attention from its internal chaos.

Wiper Secretary General Shakila Aballa defended Kalonzo saying he had no ill will towards Odinga.

“Let it be clear, H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka has no ill will towards Mr. Odinga. The two have a long history of working together and respect each other,” Aballa said in the statement.

She also lashed out at ODM for dragging Kalonzo into what she termed as “internal confusion” within the party.

“Any suggestion that H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka wishes harm upon Raila is malicious, reckless and false,” she added. “ODM is using him to distract from the cracks within the so called Broad-Based Government they are now defending blindly.”

The statement came after Raila Odinga’s spokesperson, Dennis Onyango issued a clarification that the ODM leader had travelled out of the country on Friday but not to Europe for medical treatment as some media had reported. Onyango said Raila was in good health and that any medical issue involving him would be communicated to the public as has been done in the past.

But ODM did not reveal where Raila had gone, fuelling more speculation.

Wiper’s statement went further and accused ODM of using Kalonzo to cover up its own political problems. The party also dismissed any link between Kalonzo and Raila’s failed African Union Commission chairmanship bid saying the loss was due to “diplomatic missteps” not sabotage.

The party also accused ODM of using Raila’s health to deflect attention from what it termed as “political decay and misdirection” within the party.The exchange has heightened the tension between the two parties which were once close allies under the Azimio coalition. Despite Kalonzo’s repeated claims that there is “no bad blood” between him and Raila, the unfolding drama paints a different picture — of growing mistrust and competition ahead of the next political cycle.

Speculation about Raila’s whereabouts intensified on Friday after he failed to turn up for ODM’s pre-anniversary events. The event originally scheduled for October 10–12 in Mombasa was later postponed to November 14–16 and this has further fuelled the rumours about his health and travel.

Both sides are trading accusations, the situation shows how fragile opposition unity is and the political uncertainty surrounding Raila’s next move.

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Raila Kalonzo Rift Widens as Wiper Fires Back Over Health Allegations