ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga has allayed fears over his health, confirming that he has been discharged from a Nairobi hospital, where he was admitted at the weekend.
In an interview with the Nation on Tuesday, Dr Oginga said that he had been unwell, but was discharged on Monday evening and is now recuperating at home.
“I have been sick and was admitted on Sunday the previous week but was discharged on Thursday last week. I felt sick again on Saturday night after playing golf in Kisumu and was admitted that night before being discharged on Monday,” said Dr Oginga.
“As of now I’m at home, feeling better and people should avoid a lot of speculation on my health. As a leader, I can’t hide anything concerning my health, and when I’m sick, all of Kenya will know," he added.
The veteran politician urged ODM supporters not to worry, saying party activities remain on course even as he recuperates at home.
He also dismissed reports that leaders had been barred from visiting him at the hospital, saying this could have happened on the advice of his doctors.
Dr Oginga’s hospitalisation had sparked speculation about his health, prompting concerns among his supporters and political allies.
During his hospital stint, only his two spouses and children are permitted to visit him. Several MPs have reportedly been turned away after being told that the 83-year-old politician was not at the facility.
Initially, only a few leaders were allowed to visit him, including Homa Bay Governor and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga. However, this was later stopped.
Homa Bay Governor ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga addresses party supporters during a political rally at Kirembe Grounds, Kisumu on May 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
On Saturday, August 29, Dr Oburu attempted to leave the hospital to attend the funeral of his uncle, a former intelligence officer in Alego Usonga, Siaya County, but his doctors stopped him.
According to multiple sources, the veteran politician was initially admitted on August 22 and discharged four days later, before being readmitted on August 26.
A relative told Daily Nation that Oburu is stabilising. On Sunday, he was taken outside to sunbathe for a few hours, the first time he had been allowed to do so since his admission.
Concerns about his whereabouts arose after he failed to comment on the violent attacks on the Linda Mwananchi team during their tour of Homa Bay County two weeks ago.
On Sunday, August 30, ACK Bishop David Kodia condemned the rising political violence in Kisumu and the South Nyanza counties of Homa Bay and Migori.
He also criticised the prolonged silence of the ODM party leader and called for an immediate conclave of political leaders in Nyanza to address the issue.
Bondo Anglican Diocesan Bishop Prof David Kodia anointing Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr Oburu Oginga during a Christmas service at St. Peter’s Parish, Nyamira, in Bondo on December 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Bishop Kodia was spoke at ACK St Stephen's Church in Kisumu, which was attacked by goons in July. The Sunday service was attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Orengo was attacked again in Migori last Saturday, less than two weeks after a similar incident in Homa Bay.
"When we started seeing this thing much earlier and called for sobriety, some of them told us they are elected by the people. Now look at the shame they are bringing to the entire community. It's something that must stop,' said Bishop Kodia.
On Monday afternoon, some hospital board members were spotted getting ready as they awaited the arrival of a "VIP visitor", who was expected to visit the ailing senator.
However, by the time the source was last contacted, the VIP visitor had yet to arrive. Such visits are usually conducted clandestinely to avoid raising eyebrows.
