This archive report was first published on 26 December 2019.
On Christmas Day, Rosemary Odinga, the eldest daughter of opposition leader Raila Odinga, made a remarkable appearance at St Peter's ACK Church in Nyamira, accompanied by her family members. The 2017 General Election aspirant for the Kibra polls had been struggling with the loss of eyesight due to a brain tumour.
According to her father, Raila Odinga, news of his daughter's sickness hit him hard, and he made numerous trips to hospitals in an attempt to save her life. Rosemary underwent surgery at a Nairobi hospital and was later flown to South Africa for further treatment.
After a three-month-long diagnosis in Johannesburg, a specialist in China finally identified the brain tumour. Rosemary underwent a 10-hour surgery, followed by a successful recovery. She has since made a remarkable comeback, presiding over a charity event to uplift the living standards of women in city slums.
During the event, Rosemary and a Korean NGO donated 60 sewing machines for vocational training in Kibra, aiming to help women join the textile industry. While it remains uncertain whether she will return to active politics, Rosemary's miraculous recovery is a testament to her strength and resilience.
“It was very challenging. I am used to living a certain lifestyle where I am very independent. Suddenly, I couldn’t see my children and my parents,” Rosemary said in an emotional message to the people of Kibra. She praised her family and friends for their unwavering support throughout her recovery journey.
