But for Raila Odinga Junior, his story began long before most could understand what illness really means.
How do you keep living fully when life hands you a condition that never truly goes away?
In a heartfelt message shared through this Facebook post, Raila Junior opened up about his struggle with facial paralysis, a condition that has shaped his life since childhood.
He explained that it wasn’t caused by an accident, but by a non-constructive tumor in his brain that affected his nervous system when he was a young boy back in 1985.
The revelation offered a glimpse into the quiet battles many live with behind their smiles. For Junior, this condition has been part of his life’s journey, influencing how people see him and how he views himself.
By speaking about it openly, he gave a face and voice to countless others living with conditions that are often misunderstood.
According to his post, the illness led to partial paralysis of the face, a result of nerve damage that doctors identified during his early years. While treatment and therapy can help manage such conditions, the effects sometimes remain permanent.
Over the years, Junior has learned to live with it with courage and acceptance, focusing on what he can do rather than what he cannot.
His story, shared widely online, reminds people that health challenges are not always visible or recent. They can stretch across a lifetime, shaping one’s character and strength.
The openness with which he spoke moved many who had followed his public life but never knew the personal struggles behind it.
Beyond the politics and family name, Raila Junior’s message is a lesson in resilience and honesty. It encourages understanding rather than judgment, and empathy instead of curiosity.
