Oburu Reveals Methu Is His Good Friend Despite Politics

ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga has revealed that Nyandarua Senator John Methu is his good friend, despite their differences in politics, because Methu visited him while he was admitted in hospital.

Oburu made the revelation on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during his first return to the Senate after weeks away following an illness that saw him receive treatment locally and abroad.

He received a standing ovation from fellow lawmakers as he took his place in the chamber. The Siaya Senator, 83, then rose to address the House, saying his illness had given him an opportunity to reflect on life and the importance of completing his mission.

He used his return to highlight the importance of maintaining personal relationships despite political disagreements. He singled out Methu, who is the Secretary General of the Democracy for the Citizens Party, DCP, for checking on him during his illness.

He said Methu came to visit him when he was sick. He said Methu calls him when he is sick. He said people think they are enemies because of what they say and the statements they make out there.

He said: “He came to visit me when I was sick. He calls me when I’m sick, and people think that we are enemies because of what we say and the statements we make out there.”

He said: “Senator Methu is a very… He comes to visit me when I’m sick. He calls me when I’m sick, and people yet think that we are enemies because of the statements we make up there.”

He cautioned politicians against allowing political competition to destroy friendships. He said leaders could disagree on political matters while maintaining mutual respect.

He said: “You don’t destroy friendship because you are different politically. Because tomorrow you will be together.”

He added: “We differ, but even if we differ, we are still leaders of this country, and we are still friends. And you don’t destroy friendship because you have differed politically, because tomorrow you will be together.”

Methu is a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and a leading figure in the opposition DCP. Oburu is the leader of ODM, which is in the broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto’s UDA.

The two have clashed in public many times. Methu has attacked the broad-based government. He has attacked Ruto. Oburu has defended the broad-based government. He has defended ODM’s decision to work with Ruto.

But behind the scenes, Oburu said, they are friends.

Methu had visited Oburu on Friday, September 4, 2026, at his Nairobi residence. He led a delegation and gifted Oburu two goats and two rams as a gesture of goodwill. He said: “Happy to find my colleague Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Odinga in high spirits when I checked on him at his Nairobi residence this morning.”

That was not the first time. In October 2025, Methu and Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa had paid a similar courtesy call on Oburu at his home. They presented him with three white sheep, a gesture they described as a traditional sign of peace and friendship, and part of an effort to build bridges between the Mt Kenya and Nyanza political blocs.

Oburu was admitted to Nairobi Hospital on October 2 and discharged on October 19, after receiving treatment locally. He had also received medical attention in the United Kingdom. He had travelled to the UK on September 10 for what ODM described as a routine medical check-up.

On November 4, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi led a delegation of lawmakers to his Nairobi residence to check on his recovery.

Oburu also recalled his long-standing friendship with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. He said Kalonzo had been his closest friend and sometimes adviser. He said: “I was with Kalonzo. I’ve been his closest friend and sometimes advisor. But sometimes we change.”

He said he had feared he might die before accomplishing his life’s mission while battling illness. He said he heard a spiritual voice while lying in hospital that gave him confidence to keep fighting. He said: “That I don’t die and I will not die before I finish my mission.”

Supporters of Oburu say he has taught Kenya a big lesson. They say politics is not war. Politics is competition. They say you can fight in Parliament in the morning and eat together in the evening. They say that is how Raila Odinga did politics. Raila fought Moi, fought Kibaki, fought Uhuru, but remained friends with them.

They say Methu visiting Oburu with goats and rams is African culture. It shows respect for elders. It shows that Mt Kenya and Nyanza can be friends. They say the visit broke the stereotype that ODM and DCP supporters hate each other.

They say Oburu, at 83, is showing maturity. He is not bitter. He is not angry. He is grateful. He remembers who visited him when he was sick. He remembers who called him.

Supporters of Methu say Methu has also shown maturity. They say many politicians would have ignored Oburu because he is in government. They say Methu went to visit him despite Oburu supporting Ruto. They say that shows Methu separates politics from humanity.

They say Methu’s visit was not about politics. It was about friendship. It was about checking on an elder. They say that is what leaders should do.

Critics say the friendship is not surprising. They say Kenyan politicians pretend to fight in public but share deals in private. They say Oburu and Methu attack each other on TV, then meet for tea. They say that is why Kenyans do not trust politicians.

They say if Oburu and Methu are friends, why do their supporters fight online? Why do their supporters insult each other? They say leaders should tell their supporters to stop fighting if they themselves are friends.

Political analysts say Oburu’s message was deliberate. He returned to the Senate after illness. He wanted to set the tone. He wanted to tell young politicians: do not destroy friendships for politics.

They say Methu is a young, firebrand senator. He is known for harsh attacks on Ruto and ODM. Oburu is an elder. By praising Methu, Oburu is mentoring him. He is telling him: you can be a strong opposition leader without becoming an enemy.

They say Oburu’s line – “tomorrow you will be together” – is prophetic. In Kenyan politics, today’s enemies are tomorrow’s allies. Raila and Ruto were enemies, then became partners. Uhuru and Ruto were partners, then became enemies, then became friends again. Kalonzo and Raila were partners, then separated.

They say Oburu knows this because he has lived it. He has been in politics for over 40 years. He has seen friendships break and reform.

Kenyans online reacted warmly to the story. Many said they were touched. They said this is the Kenya they want. A Kenya where politics does not kill friendship. A Kenya where a DCP senator can visit an ODM leader in hospital.

Others said they want to see more of this. They said they want Ruto and Gachagua to also visit each other. They want Sifuna and Oburu to also reconcile.

For now, one thing is clear. Oburu Odinga has revealed that Senator Methu is his good friend, despite their differences in politics, because Methu visited him while he was admitted in hospital.

And Oburu’s lesson remains: don’t destroy friendship because you differ politically, because tomorrow you will be together.

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