KISUMU, Kenya, Jan 8 – Dr Odhiambo Olel, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s personal Doctor, is dead.
Dr Olel, once detained during the Second Liberation struggle died at the age of 87 after collapsing at his home in Kisumu on Friday night according to his son Rayola Olel.
Rayola said his dad complained of dizziness and called out to his daughter at around 9:30 pm.
“We mobilized neighbors and we had to rush the mzee to Kisumu Specialist hospital, where he died upon arrival at around 11:30 pm,” he said.
Rayola said his father has had a history of certain health challenges after he was detained at Nyayo chambers in Nairobi where he was toured.
He said he might have died as a result of the side effects of the torture he sustained while detained during President Daniel arap Moi’s era.
Speaking to the press on Saturday at his father’s home in Mamboleo on the outskirts of Kisumu City, Rayola his dad struggled with heart disease, lumbar pain and a left arthritic knee caused by detention in prison.
“He has not been complaining much about it, but there was a side effect of being detained for a long time, but he was managing them on a daily basis,” he said.
Dr Olel lost his wife four months ago something Rayola said could also have triggered his demise.
“My dad and mum were married for 52 years. My mum passed on 7th August 2021, four months later on 7th Jan. 2022 my dad passed away. The truth is it took a toll on him because that has been his partner for a long time,” he said.
Rayola described his dad as a strong man, courageous and always encouraged his family to work hard and build the country.
He left behind four children, two male and two female.
His body was moved to Aga Khan Hospital mortuary in Kisumu for preservation as family members commenced preparations for his burial at his home in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency in Homa Bay County.
Dr Olel had on many interviews recounted how on January 20, 1994, he responded to a distress call after Jaramogi had developed breathing difficulties and recommended that he be rushed to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu where he passed on.
