ODM Appeals For Patience, Says Party Leader Oburu Oginga is Disturbed by Reports About His Death

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has expressed concern over reports circulating about his health, with the party urging Kenyans to allow him sufficient time to recover before returning to his public duties.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale said the Siaya Senator was unhappy with the spread of unverified information about his condition as he continues recovering from several weeks of medical treatment.

Etale explained that Oburu needed time to regain his strength following treatment received both locally and abroad. He appealed to members of the public to respect the senator’s recovery process instead of spreading claims that could cause distress to him and his family.

The communications director also expressed concern over the impact of the reports on Oburu’s relatives, saying the continued circulation of misleading information had caused them considerable distress.

He urged Kenyans to exercise caution when discussing the health of other people, particularly when the information being shared has not been confirmed by reliable sources.

Etale acknowledged that citizens enjoy freedom of expression but maintained that such freedoms should be exercised responsibly. He warned against using unverified claims to attract attention on social media at the expense of other people’s well-being.

The statement comes amid growing online speculation about the ODM leader’s condition following his recent absence from public engagements. His health has attracted considerable attention because of his position at the helm of the opposition party.

Earlier on Tuesday, ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo also addressed the rumours, assuring party supporters that Oburu was recovering well and was expected to leave hospital either that day or the following day.

Omanyo criticised social media users who had been circulating alarming claims about the veteran politician, arguing that some people were exploiting the situation to generate views and online engagement.

She maintained that health challenges could affect anyone and that Oburu’s political position should not be used as an excuse to exaggerate his condition.

However, ODM has not publicly disclosed the specific illness for which Oburu has been receiving treatment. The party has also not provided a detailed medical account of his condition.

Oburu, who represents Siaya County in the Senate, assumed leadership of ODM following the death of his younger brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in October 2025.

His absence from active public engagements has therefore attracted attention within the party, which continues to navigate important political decisions ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The latest appeal from ODM signals the party’s determination to counter misinformation while allowing its leader the time needed to recover before resuming his regular political activities.

Link; https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-10-13-odm-oburu-disturbed-by-reports-about-his-health?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8yNzUyNTQ2OTI1OTgyNzkAAR7G5c2VLArgu_HSt2l0Lk_tUBAr69urD7t-PFjX0s-CkY8dqbjHzLQR4zeN-Q_aem_NsQgpC0avlcbo6GaH6nuz

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