When the health of political leaders is a public matter

ODM leader Raila Odinga receives a brief on ODM@20 Celebrations in Nairobi, on October 3, 2025. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

On Sunday morning, Raila Odinga office issued a statement dispelling what they termed as misinformation on the former Prime Minister’s health.

The secretariat seemingly lay blame on the Opposition and dismissed it as a familiar campaign on the health of Raila, saying that he has previously gone public whenever he had a health matter.

“Raila has a strong tradition of being open and generous with the country on matters of his health,” read the statement by Raila’s spokesperson, Dennis Onyango.

The situation has brought to the fore how different countries handle health issues involving their top leadership.

The Buckingham Palace issued a statement in February last year communicating King Charles cancer diagnosis.

“His Majesty has commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” the statement read.

This year, King Charles is reported to have shared a message to cancer patients.

Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton also shared her cancer diagnosis with the public.

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,’’ her statement read.

Similarly, former US President Joe Biden also communicated his fight with cancer and has also been discussing his progress, optimistic of overcoming it.

“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,” Biden’s post of May 19 read.

The South African Government also kept its citizens abreast on the health of the anti-apartheid icon and former President Nelson Mandela.

For instance, it communicated when he had lung infection and his process of healing.

Closer home the late former President Mwai Kibaki became the first sitting head of state to open up about his health.

Coming into office after an accident while on the campaign trail, Kibaki’s early years in office were littered with hospital visits where he allowed media coverage, once television cameras showing him leaving a Nairobi hospital.

His predecessor Daniel Arap Moi was reported to enjoy good health during his 24 years in power but once after he missed from the public limelight upwards of two weeks he emerged and dismissed rumours he had been taken ill and had been hospitalised.

At a rally, he said he had had “...a small cold and people should not go about claiming he was gone.”