RAILA FAINTS, SUFFERS SEVERE CHEST PAINS DURING PROTEST?

A photo of Azimio leader Raila Odinga in a hospital bed being attended to by doctors was shared widely on Thursday, March 30, with captions claiming that he fainted after addressing the press in Pipeline.

A fact check by Kenyans.co.ke has since determined that the information was false and misleading.

According to the false and alarming posts, Raila complained of severe chest pains after concluding the Thursday, March 30, mass protests.

It alleged that the former premier was rushed to his Karen home, where several doctors monitored his progress.

The Azimio team has therefore been forced to retreat in Karen where several doctors are attending to Raila,” the statement claimed in part.

Kenyans.co.ke via reverse image search found that the image was first used in July 2017, when Raila was admitted at a Mombasa hospital after addressing a series of rallies in Kilifi County.

Odinga’s spokesman, Dennis Onyango, confirmed the incident, noting that they suspected the opposition leader had suffered food poisoning.

Raila’s advisor Salim Lone additionally indicated, in a statement to newsrooms, that he became unwell at the Mombasa 

International Airport, awaiting his flight back to Nairobi.

“Mr Odinga feels quite comfortable and is being examined by a doctor at Mombasa Hospital. The doctor feels that there is no cause for alarm.

“There is absolutely no reason for anyone to worry about Mr Odinga’s health,” Salim noted.

The photo was again used in June 2022, with reports claiming that the opposition leader collapsed in his Karen home due to exhaustion.

Raila was actively campaigning in preparation for the August 2022 elections.

“Reports are indicating that at around 6.30 pm this evening, Azimio La Umoja Presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga collapsed at his Karen residence due to exhaustion,” the caption with which the image was shared read in part.

Meanwhile, after addressing residents in the Pipeline area, Nairobi, on Thursday, March 30, the former Prime Minister held a press conference in Karen where he accused the police of attempting to assassinate him.

“There’s no justification for the excessive force against peaceful, unarmed citizens exercising their democratic rights today. The unprovoked attack saw my car hit with seven live bullets, each aimed at me.

“Despite this, we won’t be deterred. Our quest won’t stop, and we’ll hold the mother of all demonstrations next Monday, regardless of what our detractors say,” Raila stated.

Former Vice President and Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Narc-Kenya party leader, Martha Karua backed Raila’s claims. Karua threatened to sue Inspector General, Japhet Koome, for damage caused to her car.

Nonetheless, Raila’s spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, was unavailable for comment as he did not respond to queries fronted by Kenyans.co.ke 

on claims that Raila fell ill while leading protests.

However, the photos shared were false and misleading.

Sourced from Kenyans