Oburu Oginga health update as Ida Odinga breaks silence after ODM leader misses major Raila ceremony

ODM leader Oburu Oginga was absent from the official dedication of the late Raila Odinga’s mausoleum in Bondo on Wednesday, October 7, with Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, confirming that he was unwell and asking Kenyans to continue praying for him.

Oburu, who is also the Siaya senator, was expected to be part of the gathering at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, where President William Ruto formally handed over and dedicated Raila’s completed mausoleum to the Odinga family.

Instead, members of the Odinga family attended the ceremony without the ODM leader, whose absence came amid heightened public interest in his health.

Ida Odinga explains Oburu’s absence

Addressing mourners, political leaders and invited guests at the ceremony, Ida apologised on behalf of her brother-in-law and explained that he could not attend because he was unwell.

She appealed to Kenyans to continue praying for Oburu and expressed hope that he would recover and return to public engagements.

“Please allow me to convey apologies of my senior brother-in-law, Dr Oburu Oginga, who is unfortunately unable to be with us here today because he is unwell,” Ida said.

She added that the family hoped he would soon be able to resume his public engagements.

Oburu’s son, Jaoko Odinga, was also present at the ceremony and later delivered a message on behalf of his father. Reports from the event said Jaoko indicated that Oburu was following medical advice and had been placed on a recovery programme that restricted physically demanding engagements.

Oburu’s health statement

The development follows a statement issued by Oburu’s secretariat on Tuesday, October 6, after reports circulated on social media claiming that the ODM leader had died.

His office rejected those reports, describing them as false and malicious, and said Oburu was alive, safe and in good spirits.

The secretariat also said he had been instructed by doctors to rest and limit strenuous physical engagements while remaining engaged with party and national affairs.

The conflicting public reports have made Oburu’s absence from the Bondo ceremony particularly notable. However, there has been no authoritative announcement confirming the death claims that circulated online.

Ruto hands over Raila’s mausoleum

Oburu’s absence came as President Ruto formally handed over Raila’s mausoleum during a ceremony at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.

The memorial stands beside the resting place of Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president. The site has been developed as a memorial to Raila, whose political career spanned several decades.

The mausoleum had been prepared for the October 7 handover, with the Ministry of Defence and technical teams involved in completing the project. It has also been listed for protection by the National Museums of Kenya as part of the country’s national heritage.

For the Odinga family, the ceremony marked a significant moment in the preservation of Raila’s legacy, while Oburu’s absence added a personal dimension to an event centred on the family’s political history.

For now, public statements from his office indicate that Oburu is alive and following medical advice, while Ida Odinga’s remarks confirm that he is currently unwell. No further details about his medical condition have been publicly disclosed by the family.

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