Raila checks into resort for complete rest

By Bernard Namunane bnamunane@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, July 27 2010 at 21:00

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Tuesday flew to an unnamed resort to continue with his convalescence.

Sources said the PM and his wife Ida left their Karen home in Nairobi and boarded a chartered flight at Wilson Airport to a place where he cannot be reached by visitors.

Aides declined to comment on his decision to shift base.

Mr Odinga has been recovering at his home since he was discharged from the Nairobi Hospital where he had undergone surgery after a case of chronic subdural haematomia, which doctors said was caused by pressure building outside his brain.

Avoid campaign trail

The Prime Minister was admitted to Nairobi Hospital on June 28 and discharged on July 4 with strict instructions from his doctors to avoid the referendum campaign trail until he had fully recovered.

The PM, however, has been receiving delegations of well wishers at his home, including leading politicians in both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps.

He has, his spokesman Dennis Onyango said last week, been contributing to the campaigns by activating his teams on the ground to push forward the Green agenda.

Expectations have been high that Mr Odinga would be back on the campaign trail before the referendum and the target was the Green rally in Kisumu on Saturday.

Asked if the PM will attend, Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is also the co-convener of the ‘Yes’ campaign, said it would be determined by the doctors.

Mr Odinga is expected back in Nairobi on Friday.