- David Oluoch Olunya served as Raila Odinga’s personal physician for almost two decades, accompanying him on many surgical trips in the country and abroad
- He was among the last people with Raila in India, being given medical treatment during his last moments
- A graduate of the University of Nairobi and a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Olunya built a modern brain surgery unit in Kenya and trained many surgeons.
For nearly twenty years, a Kenyan neurosurgeon, David Oluoch Olunya, stood by Raila Odinga especially in his health challenges.
Source: Facebook
Olunya was not only Raila’s doctor, but he was a close person who shared with him in times of pain and healing, both inside and outside the country.
He was one of the last people with Raila in India, where the former prime minister died on Wednesday, October 15, after suffering a heart attack.
How Olunya tried to save Raila in India
In a video that went viral, the surgeon from Nairobi was seen performing CPR outside Devamatha Hospital in India, trying with all his might to save his long-term patient and his friend.
Those final images showed the loyalty beyond duty of an experienced doctor doing his best to save lives.
Olunya and Raila’s relationship started many years ago, built on trust and many medical trips.
He accompanied the ODM leader to various hospitals around the world, overseeing consultations and sensitive surgeries that required high-level skills and great secrecy.
Biography of David Oluoch Olunya
According to Africa InfolineOlunya is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) in 1985.
He later joined the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, where he obtained FRCS (Edinburgh) in 1991 and FRCS (SN) in 1998, specializing in brain surgery.
On his return to Kenya in 1999, Olunya joined the University of Nairobi – Faculty of Health Sciences, where he helped strengthen the Department of Surgery and established a modern brain surgery unit.
At Nairobi Hospital, where he has served as a consultant brain surgeon since 1999, Olunya has handled some of the most difficult surgical cases in the country.
His popularity comes from his attention, compassion, and great professionalism, making him highly respected by his colleagues and patients.
Olunya is the son of Joseph Hannington Oluoch, a retired doctor who was the personal physician of the late Robert Ouko’s family.
Source: Facebook
Did Raila ever undergo head surgery?
One of the most publicized incidents occurred in June 2010, when Olunya performed head surgery on Raila at Nairobi Hospital.
According to BBCthe surgery helped relieve the pressure caused by the accumulation of fluid outside the brain, a condition that caused severe headaches.
Together with a fellow brain surgeon, Mahmood Qureshi, Olunya oversaw the highly successful surgery, reaffirming his expertise and the great faith Raila had in him.
Beyond neurosurgery, Olunya’s practice covers a wide range of general surgical services.
His work includes managing digestive and endocrine system problems, performing abdominal procedures such as hernias and appendicitis, and treating traumatic injuries that require surgical repair.
During Raila’s funeral service held Bondo On Sunday, October 19, Raila’s brother Oburu Odinga took time to recognize Olunya’s dedication, praising him for his years of dedicated service and professionalism in looking after the former prime minister.
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