The doctor, identified as Dr. Rajesh Kumar from Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, said he was deeply saddened by the loss of Kenya’s long-time opposition leader.
Dr. Rajesh said Raila was a kind and humble man who treated everyone around him with respect.
“He always greeted us with a smile and asked about our families. He was a leader who cared about people, even far from home,” the doctor said in a calm voice.
According to Dr. Rajesh, Raila had been in India for a short medical check-up and was in good spirits before his death.
“He was walking around the hospital gardens and even joked with nurses that morning,” he added.
The doctor explained that Raila suddenly collapsed while taking his usual evening walk near the hospital compound.
“We rushed to help him immediately. Our team tried everything — oxygen, CPR, and heart resuscitation — but his heart had already stopped responding,” Dr. Rajesh said sadly.
He described the moment as one of the hardest in his career. “It felt like losing someone close to us. Everyone in the hospital was silent for a long time.”
The hospital later confirmed that Raila Odinga died of cardiac arrest.
The Kenyan Embassy in New Delhi worked closely with Indian authorities to prepare for the transfer of his body back to Kenya.
Dr. Rajesh said Raila’s final moments showed great calmness. “He was peaceful, like a man who had made peace with the world. Even when we tried to save him, it felt like he had already gone to rest,” he said.
Many Kenyans in India have visited Devamatha Hospital to lay flowers and candles in Raila’s memory.
“We will remember him not only as a great African leader but also as a patient who showed grace, humility, and hope,” Dr. Rajesh said.
Raila’s death has left a deep hole in Kenya’s political and social life. As Dr. Rajesh concluded, “He came to India for healing, but he left us with a lesson — to live kindly and die peacefully.”
