Dr Oburu Oginga delivers his speech during ODM's Special Delegates Convention at Nairobi’s Jamhuri Grounds.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has been conspicuously absent from key events, sparking speculation about his whereabouts amid rumours that he had fallen ill.
Rumours about his whereabouts began circulating two weeks ago and gained momentum when he missed the widely publicised ODM retreat in Mombasa last weekend.
This event was attended by ODM governors, MPs and members of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC), as well as Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (Treasury), Hassan Joho (Mining) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives).
Dr Oginga was last seen at a political event on April 20, when he attended the party’s Youth League Convention in Nairobi.
He has been absent from subsequent party activities, including a youth convention held in Kilifi on April 26. On April 27, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir was forced to open the Raila Odinga Hospital in Nyali's Kongowea in Dr Oginga's absence.
ODM party leader Oburu Odinga addresses journalists during a press conference by the party’s committee at the Swiss-Belinn Hotel in Nairobi on April 16, 2026.
Dr Oginga had been scheduled to officially open the healthcare facility in honour of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga. ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga attended the official launch.
Dr Oginga did not attend the burial of Mzee Edwin Kipchirchir Koech, father of Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir. The burial was attended by key broad-based government figures, including President William Ruto. From the ODM party, Ms Wanga and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed were among a host of top party honchos present.
Dr Oginga also missed the May 1 Labour Day celebrations held in Vihiga, which was attended by the country’s top political leadership, including the President.
His absence during the burial of Mzee Eliud Nyikal Okaka in Kisumu’s Seme last Saturday also triggered further speculations. The burial was attended by top ODM officials and all the four governors from the Luo Nyanza counties. Governors Wanga (Homa Bay), Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), James Orengo (Siaya) and Ochillo Ayacko (Migori) were present.
But it was his absence in Mombasa on Sunday and Monday that stirred further speculation that the 82-year-old politician could be unwell.
The day before the event, there was a suggestion to postpone it to accommodate him.
However, the party proceeded with the retreat, with Simba Arati, the co-deputy party leader and Kisii governor, reading Dr Oginga’s speech to the party members.
Youths cheer during ODM's Youth Convention at Jamhuri showgrounds in Nairobi on April 20, 2026.
Apart from his apologies for his absence, the speech contained few details as to why he was absent.
“First, allow me to sincerely apologise for my absence from this special occasion. I had fully planned to attend this retreat, but due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, I have been unable to do so,” said Dr Oginga in the speech.
“Though I may not be with you physically, I am with you in spirit and will closely follow the deliberations of this important meeting. It is my hope that all matters arising from this gathering will be addressed constructively and resolved amicably.”
During the retreat, a source within the party revealed that Dr Oginga was advised by his doctor to take bed rest.
Mr Mohammed told the Nation on Thursday that Dr Oginga is in good health. He said he had been briefly unwell, but was now fully recovered.
He said Dr Oginga is expected to chair the party’s Central Management Committee meeting next week.
“He is okay. I just spoke to him this morning (Thursday),” said Mr Mohammed.
Running ODM is seen as a high pressure job, especially in the wake of sharp political divisions that have led to the emergence of rival factions of Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground.
Dr Oburu Oginga delivers his speech during ODM's Special Delegates Convention at Nairobi’s Jamhuri Grounds.
Before the death of his younger brother Raila Odinga, Dr Oginga was a low-profile ODM party member, holding no position in the 20-year-old outfit. But Mr Odinga’s death thrust him to the country’s high octane politics characterised by back-to-back political rallies, crisis meetings and public exchanges.
He has in the past six months been involved in political fire-fighting within the party as well as deal with competing political interests both within the party and in ODM’s dealings with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Contested issues such as zoning and demand by party members for free and fair primaries have put the veteran politician under immense political pressure, which at times could be emotionally draining to the old man.
Late last year, Dr Oginga took a sabbatical to Dubai following what his family and aides described as a “hectic and emotionally demanding political calendar”. At the time, there were also speculations about his well-being.
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