Oburu Oginga breaks silence on health rumours, says he is ‘very well’

ODM leader Oburu Oginga has moved to calm growing concern over his health, saying he only made a brief hospital visit for a general check-up and has since returned home.

The Siaya Senator spoke out on Tuesday after reports circulated online claiming he had been readmitted to hospital and was receiving treatment under tight restrictions.

Oburu rejected those reports, saying he was in good health and had already returned to his Nairobi residence.

“Thank you for your concerns. I have read the nation's digital news and wish to state that I am very well,” he said.

“I had only briefly visited the hospital for a general check-up with my doctors and have since returned home.”

His comments provide the clearest public account of his condition after conflicting reports triggered concern among ODM supporters and political circles.

Oburu also sought to play down the significance of seeking medical attention, saying illness was a normal part of life.

“Being sick is a normal human experience and should not alarm anyone,” he said. “The day I am truly sick, I will inform you all, for I am a very transparent person.”

Party also moves to reassure supporters

ODM communications director Philip Etale separately sought to reassure the public, saying Oburu was at his Kitisuru home in Nairobi and was well enough to receive visitors.

Etale said the party leader was hosting friends and was taking time to rest before resuming his public engagements.

The reassurance came after several reports claimed Oburu had been hospitalised or readmitted, with some accounts suggesting that access to him had been limited to close family members.

Those claims have not been substantiated by an official medical statement. Oburu's own account contradicts the suggestion that he is currently hospitalised.

The veteran politician has also shared images from his home, further signalling that he is no longer receiving inpatient care.

Conflicting reports fuel concern

The latest episode highlights the difficulty of separating verified information from speculation when the health of a prominent political figure becomes a subject of public interest.

Reports earlier in the day suggested that Oburu had been readmitted to hospital. Other accounts said he had recently spent time receiving medical attention.

However, the senator has now said his hospital visit was simply for a general check-up.

The precise medical details of the consultation have not been disclosed, and there is no public medical statement giving a diagnosis.

That distinction is important. A hospital visit or medical check-up does not, on its own, establish that a person is seriously ill.

Oburu remains central to ODM's political transition

The health reports come at a politically sensitive moment for ODM.

Oburu became the party's leader following the death of his younger brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in October 2025. He has since taken on a more prominent role as the party navigates its future and positions itself ahead of the 2027 General Election.

His health has therefore attracted considerable public attention, particularly given his age and long political career.

But for now, the senator's own message is that there is no cause for alarm.

“I am very well,” he said, thanking Kenyans for their concern.

The focus is now likely to shift back to his political engagements, as ODM continues preparations for the 2027 contest.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.