In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Secretariat said Dr. Oburu Oginga is safe, in good spirits and continues to recover while following medical advice.

The statement came after social media posts attributed to blogger Maverick Aoko raised questions about the health condition of the senior politician.

Dr. Oburu’s office strongly rejected the claims, urging members of the public and the media to rely on official communication from his office and other credible sources when seeking information about his wellbeing.

According to the Secretariat, the reports being circulated online do not reflect Dr. Oburu’s current condition and have caused unnecessary concern among members of the public, members of the Orange Democratic Movement and his supporters.

The office described the circulation of what it termed false information as irresponsible, particularly at a time when the country is closely following developments involving the ODM leadership.

The Secretariat further said Dr. Oburu remains mentally alert and continues to follow important political and national developments despite being advised by his doctors to take a period of rest.

The office said the ODM Party Leader has been observing medical instructions to reduce strenuous physical engagements as part of his recovery.

Despite the restrictions, the Secretariat stated that Dr. Oburu remains engaged with key matters affecting the party and the country.

The statement also indicated that Dr. Oburu had been preparing remarks ahead of the planned handover ceremony for the mausoleum of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County.

The development comes as national attention remains focused on preparations for the official dedication and commissioning of Raila Odinga’s mausoleum, an event expected to bring together senior government officials, political leaders, members of the Odinga family and other dignitaries.

President William Ruto is expected to lead the dedication and official commissioning of the mausoleum on Wednesday, October 7.

Dr. Oburu’s involvement in preparations for the event, according to his Secretariat, is an indication that he remains engaged despite his doctors’ recommendation that he limits physical activities.

The health of senior political leaders often attracts significant public interest, particularly when they occupy influential positions within major political parties.

In Dr. Oburu’s case, the issue has generated increased attention because of his position as the ODM Party Leader and his longstanding role in Kenyan politics.

The Secretariat has therefore sought to clarify his condition and discourage the public from relying on unverified reports circulating through social media platforms.

The office also criticized what it described as the misuse of digital platforms to spread unverified information about public figures.

In its statement, the Secretariat argued that freedom of expression and access to information are important elements of a democratic society but should not be used to circulate claims that could cause unnecessary distress to individuals, families and members of the public.

The office called on social media users to exercise caution when sharing information about the health of public figures.

It urged Kenyans to verify information before sharing it, particularly when the claims involve sensitive personal matters such as health.

The Secretariat further stated that it remains in communication with the party leadership over the matter and indicated that legal options were being considered regarding what it described as misinformation targeting Dr. Oburu.

The statement did not provide details on any specific legal action already taken but warned those responsible for spreading what it termed false information to stop.

Dr. Oburu has been a prominent figure in Kenyan politics for several decades.

He is the elder brother of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and has remained closely associated with the political activities of the Odinga family.

His appointment and continued role within the ODM leadership have placed him at the centre of political discussions within the party and across the country.

The ODM Party has undergone significant developments in recent years, with questions surrounding its leadership, political alliances and future direction attracting national attention.

Dr. Oburu’s role as party leader has consequently made his public engagements and statements matters of interest to party supporters and political observers.

The latest statement from his office is therefore likely to receive attention as the party prepares for various engagements following the passing of Raila Odinga.

The Secretariat has emphasized that Dr. Oburu is continuing to receive medical care and follow instructions from his doctors.

It said his current schedule involves limiting heavy physical activities and taking sufficient rest.

At the same time, the office maintained that he remains updated on political and national matters.

The clarification is intended to reassure members of the public who may have encountered the reports circulating online and were concerned about the ODM leader’s condition.

The office did not provide detailed medical information about his condition, and the statement primarily focused on rejecting what it described as false reports.

It also called on mainstream media outlets and members of the public to exercise responsibility when reporting or discussing the health of political leaders.

Health information is often sensitive, and reports that have not been confirmed by a person's family, authorized representatives or medical team can create confusion and anxiety.

The Secretariat's call for the public to rely on official communication comes at a time when social media platforms have become major sources of information for millions of Kenyans.

Information can spread rapidly online, sometimes reaching large audiences before it has been independently verified.

The statement from Dr. Oburu’s office is therefore part of an effort to establish what it considers the official position regarding his health.

The Secretariat said the public should disregard sensational claims and instead wait for verified updates from authorized sources.

The controversy also highlights the wider challenge facing public figures in managing information about their personal lives in the digital age.

Political leaders are regularly subjected to intense scrutiny, and information about their health can quickly become a subject of public discussion.

For senior politicians, health updates can also have political implications because their ability to participate in party activities and public engagements may affect political programmes and events.

In this case, however, Dr. Oburu’s office has maintained that the ODM leader remains involved in important matters despite temporarily reducing his physical engagements.

The Secretariat’s statement also comes ahead of a significant national event in Bondo.

The mausoleum of Raila Odinga at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi is expected to become an important memorial site associated with the late former Prime Minister and the wider Odinga family history.

The official handover, dedication and commissioning ceremony is expected to attract national leaders and other prominent figures.

The Odinga family has played a major role in Kenya’s political history, beginning with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who was Kenya’s first Vice President and a key figure in the country's independence movement.

Raila Odinga later became one of Kenya’s most prominent political figures, serving as Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013 and contesting the presidency several times.

Dr. Oburu has remained an important member of the family’s political establishment and has been involved in national politics for many years.

His reported preparation for remarks ahead of the mausoleum ceremony, as cited by his Secretariat, comes at a significant moment for the family and supporters of the late former Prime Minister.

The Secretariat has not indicated whether Dr. Oburu will physically attend the ceremony or whether his doctors’ advice regarding rest will affect his participation.

Instead, the office has emphasized that he continues to observe medical guidance while remaining engaged with preparations.

The statement has also sought to separate verified information from claims circulating online.

The Secretariat said members of the public should be cautious about consuming or sharing information from unofficial sources, especially when such reports concern sensitive matters.

It also urged the media to verify information before publication and to seek confirmation from authorized representatives.

The issue has once again raised questions about the responsibility of social media users and content creators when reporting on the health of public figures.

While social media provides a platform for rapid information sharing, unverified claims can also spread quickly and become difficult to correct once they reach a wide audience.

For families of public figures, such reports can create additional pressure and anxiety.

The Secretariat has consequently called for restraint and responsible communication.

As of Tuesday, October 6, Dr. Oburu’s office maintains that he is safe, in good spirits and recovering while following medical advice.

The office has not released detailed medical information, saying instead that the ODM leader is continuing to rest and limit strenuous engagements.

It has also maintained that he remains mentally alert and continues to follow political and national developments.

The statement is likely to provide reassurance to ODM supporters and members of the public who had expressed concern after encountering the reports online.

The situation also comes at a time when the political environment remains closely watched, with ODM continuing to navigate developments surrounding its leadership and the wider national political landscape.

Dr. Oburu’s role within the party means that any changes in his ability to participate in political activities could attract considerable attention.

For now, however, his Secretariat says he remains engaged while prioritizing his recovery.

The office has urged Kenyans to disregard what it describes as fabricated reports and to rely on official communication for any future updates concerning his condition.

It has also warned against using social media to circulate unverified claims about the health of political leaders.

As preparations continue for the Raila Odinga mausoleum ceremony in Bondo, attention will remain on the event and on the leaders expected to attend.

The ceremony is expected to provide an opportunity for political leaders, family members and members of the public to pay tribute to Raila Odinga and reflect on his contribution to Kenya’s political history.

For Dr. Oburu, his office says the immediate priority remains following medical advice and allowing him time to recover.

The Secretariat has reiterated that he remains in good spirits and continues to engage with important matters from a position of rest.

The office has also urged the public to avoid speculation and allow official channels to provide information regarding his health.

The latest clarification therefore seeks to put an end to the speculation surrounding Dr. Oburu’s condition, while emphasizing the importance of verified information and responsible communication.

Until any further official update is issued, the position communicated by the Secretariat is that the ODM Party Leader is safe, recovering steadily and following the advice of his doctors.

The office has called on the public, party members and the media to respect his privacy during his recovery and to rely on confirmed information rather than unverified social media reports.