A team of doctors from Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Hospital in Kerala, India, have arrived in Kenya to pay their final respects to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away while receiving medical treatment at their facility.
The doctors, who had been part of Raila’s medical team, were accompanied by his daughter Rosemary Odinga and were received in Mombasa by Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir, who also serves as the ODM Deputy Party Leader.
In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Governor Nassir paid tribute to Raila’s enduring legacy, describing him as a man whose influence and humanity transcended borders.
“They are in Kenya to pay their final respects to a man whose life and legacy transcended borders. The global outpouring of love for Baba is a reflection of his extraordinary journey — one defined by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice and humanity,” Nassir said.
“May his spirit continue to inspire us to build the Kenya he dreamed of — united, just, and full of hope.”
Raila, who had long been drawn to Ayurvedic medicine, began seeking alternative treatment at Sreedhareeyam, the same facility where his daughter Rosemary received care in 2022. Rosemary had undergone Ayurveda therapy for secondary optic atrophy, a condition that causes vision loss. After four months of treatment, her eyesight began to improve, and by the end of 2022, she revealed that her vision had been fully restored — sparking international attention toward the traditional Indian healing system.
Ayurveda, which translates to “the science of life,” is a traditional healthcare system practiced in India for thousands of years. It is based on the belief that human health depends on the balance of three fundamental energies known as Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water). Ayurvedic therapies focus on restoring this balance through dietary changes, herbal medicines, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation.
Raila is said to have undergone the therapy to manage several chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, kidney disease, and diabetes, all of which were compounded by injuries sustained during his long and turbulent political career.
The 80-year-old opposition leader succumbed earlier this month while receiving treatment in Kerala State, India, marking the end of a political era in Kenya and the region. His death has drawn global tributes from world leaders, liberation figures, and Kenyans across political divides.
