PM set to leave hospital soon

Prime Minister Raila Odinga could leave hospital this weekend, five days after he underwent minor surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

This might happen if the timetable recommended by his doctors for his recuperation stands.

So far his doctors have not advised of any change regarding the five-day period.

"The doctors said then that he’ll be discharged in about five days, and they haven’t said otherwise so far," Spokesman Dennis Onyango said in reply to day the PM is expected to be discharged.

“We actually expect that he might leave anytime from tomorrow (Saturday). This is however subject to the doctors approval.”

Mr Odinga, 65, was admitted at the Nairobi Hospital on Monday hours after he had presided over the clean-up of the Nairobi Dam, where he looked ill and exhausted.

Whirlwind tour

Before the surgery, the PM, one of Kenya’s most energetic politicians, was on a whirlwind national tour to campaign for a new constitution that will be subjected to a referendum on August 4.

On Monday, he was driven to the hospital complaining of headache and general fatigue forcing doctors to perform an operation to relieve pressure that had built up outside the brain.

His doctor - Dr Livingston Oluoch Olunya - a neurosurgeon- said the pressure may have been caused by the PM banging his head in his car some weeks ago.

“The pressure was relieved when some fluid was removed through a small opening in the skull. The procedure was carried out successfully and the Prime Minister is doing fine,” he said.

On Tuesday, Dr Oluoch-Olunya said that the PM had started undergoing his normal routine exercises — a clear indication that was on his way to full recovery.

He further revealed that they had also changed the dressing on the PM’s head, removed all the drips and that he was now taking his medication orally.

And despite the fact his doctors and family members had restricted visiting hours, scores of visitors turned up at the hospital to wish Mr Odinga well.

Those who saw him told journalists that he was looking ‘much brighter’ and was eagerly waiting to watch the two World Cup matches on Friday.

Resume duty

He was also said to be looking forward to leaving the hospital and resuming duty.

Amongst those who visited the PM included Cabinet ministers: Amason Kingi, Soita Shitanda, Henry Kosgey, assistant ministers: Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, Cecily Mbarire, Oburu Oginga and Joseph Nkaiserry. Others were: Lands PS Dorothy Angote, MPs Bonny Khalwale and Manson Nyamweya.

Also present were: Anglican Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Aeneas Chuma, Hassan Noor and Christian Lambretchs from the Mau Restoration Secretariat, former MPs Maina Kamanda, Moses Akaranga and Raphael Wanjala and football administrator Mr Sam Nyamweya.

Archbishop Wabukala and seven other Bishops separately held special prayers for the PM.

“He is growing stronger and stronger. To us, he appears to be fine,” said Bishop Arthur Kitonga of the Redeemed Gospel Church.

President Kibaki and Vice President Kalonzo have also been to see the PM.

Mr Odinga has received goodwill messages from a number of foreign leaders, among them former South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife Dr Graca Machel, former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.