The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga will address a major party rally in Nairobi on Saturday for the first time in three months, as the Orange party seeks to consolidate its support base ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Dr Oginga secretariat confirmed to the Daily Nation that the 83-year-old politician will address ODM supporters at Jacaranda grounds from his Nairobi home via Live link in an elaborate speech covering a wide range of issues on politics and the state of the nation.
“The party leader is in high spirits though wouldn’t be attending in- person, he will address the gathering via a live link. He is very much okay only that his medical team has still not given him the go ahead to resume public meetings,” the secretariat said.
Makadara MP George Aladwa, who is coordinating the event, said Dr Oginga would address supporters through a live link to reassure them about his recovery and the party’s political stability.
ODM Nairobi Branch Chairperson and Makadara MP George Aladwa addresses party delegates at the Co-operative University of Kenya in Nairobi on October 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
“People have been asking about the whereabouts of our party leader, and you saw it even in Bondo during the Raila anniversary event. We have prevailed upon him to address the final memorial rally via a live link on Saturday so that our supporters can know he is recuperating well,” said Mr Aladwa, who is serving his second term as Makadara MP and has declared his intention to vie for the Nairobi governorship in 2027.
Dr Oginga, 83, has not attended a public ODM event since August 10, when he and President William Ruto co-chaired a broad-based coalition parliamentary group meeting.
He sought treatment abroad and at Nairobi Hospital before being discharged on October 19. He has since been recuperating at home.
In his absence, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, party chairperson Gladys Wanga and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed have been at the forefront of ODM activities.
Visits to Dr Oginga have been restricted on the advice of his doctors. Last week, however, he was pictured with Mr Arati, who visited him at his home, where the two discussed party affairs.
Questions about the party leader’s health became prominent during the first anniversary memorial service for his predecessor, Raila Odinga, at Migwena Grounds in Bondo on October 15.
A section of the crowd interrupted Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo who was the master of ceremony, demanding to know Dr Oginga's whereabouts.
The ODM leader later dismissed rumours and concerns over his health during a brief birthday celebration at Nairobi Hospital, where he turned 83.
Dr Oburu Oginga cuts a cake with some family members and doctors at the Nairobi hospital where is recuperating.
Photo credit: Pool
He said he had been unwell like any other person and criticised those spreading unverified reports about his condition.
“For those who have been spreading rumours that I’m lost, here I am. I have been sick like any other human being and Kenyan. There are those who are happy and sarcastic that I’m sick. May the Lord help them,” he said.
Dr Oginga added that his illness was a private matter and that he was under no obligation to make his medical condition public.
“Sickness is not public, and I have no obligation to announce my sickness or make public my illness. Here is where I am, and I am on the way to recovery,” he said.
Mr Aladwa said Dr Oginga's address would be welcome news to party supporters, adding that the rally would demonstrate ODM’s continued strength following Raila’s death.
Raila’s first anniversary
“His speech will be good news to our supporters since he has steered this party well since Baba’s demise. Nairobi is the bedrock of our support, and we must ensure that continues,” he said.
Mr Aladwa, who is also ODM’s Nairobi County chairman, said preparations were complete, with party leaders scheduled to visit Jacaranda Grounds on Friday ahead of the rally.
He urged supporters from the western side of the city to use Mombasa Road, Thika Road and Outer Ring Road to access the venue instead of the city centre.
“We call on our supporters from the western side of the city to use Mombasa Road, Thika Road and Outer Ring Road and avoid town because we have got wind that some of our opponents plan to infiltrate and harass those in town, then we get blamed. Those working in town should continue with their business as usual,” he said.
Mr Aladwa added that each of Nairobi’s 17 constituencies had drawn up plans to mobilise supporters and ensure a successful rally. He credited the party structures and youth league for coordinating the preparations.
Raila Odinga Junior, who is eyeing the Kibra parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket, also welcomed supporters to the gathering, which will be the final event in the late former Prime Minister’s first-anniversary memorial programme.
Raila Odinga Junior.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
“Nairobi was Baba’s bedroom, and those who left the party thinking it was dead will be shocked. ODM will still win seats in the city without them. Our focus is on ensuring ODM is strong and not on the few politicians who have joined Kibandaski small parties,” he said.
The rally is expected to bring together senior ODM leaders, including Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), John Mbadi (Treasury), Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives) and Hassan Joho (Mining).
On Tuesday, Mr Mbadi flagged off a caravan commemorating Raila’s first anniversary, which is touring Nairobi to mobilise supporters for the Jacaranda Grounds meeting.
ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo also said the rally will show that the party still has strength in the city even post Raila era.
“Let our supporters fill Jacaranda and hear from the leaders on our plans for the 2027 general elections in the city even as we crown the Mwezi wa Baba which we used to honour our late party leader,” she said
The rally comes amid deep divisions within ODM over whether to enter into a formal written agreement with President Ruto or continue supporting his administration without a binding pact.
The question of the party’s political direction and possible endorsements is expected to feature prominently at the meeting.
On Thursday, Dr Oginga said ODM will engage President Ruto through an elaborate and well-argued agreement and told non ODM members vouching for the party to bank on the good will of the president to focus on other issues of building the nation.
He was responding to Interior PS Raymond Omollo who had told ODM not to pressure the president in signing a MoU but bank on his good which he has demonstrated by initiating projects in the region.
The gathering will be held in Embakasi East, whose MP Babu Owino has since left ODM and formed the Mwananchi Party while aligning himself with the Linda Mwananchi movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
The breakaway faction held a rally at the same venue on September 13, where its leaders declared an end to ODM’s dominance in Nairobi.
