Reports circulating on social media claiming that Siaya Senator and ODM leader Oburu Oginga has passed away are false. His office, the ODM party, and Oburu himself have all confirmed that he is alive and well.
Malicious Propaganda Spreads Following Hospital Visit
The claims began spreading on social media on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, following news that the 83-year-old senator had visited Nairobi Hospital. By evening, his secretariat issued a statement debunking the posts as malicious propaganda and fake news, urging the public to ignore them.
“We wish to assure the general public, members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the people of Siaya County, and the entire nation that Dr. Oburu Oginga is well, safe, and in good spirits.”
The secretariat added that doctors advised him to rest and limit strenuous activity, though he remains mentally alert and continues to follow party and national affairs closely.
Statements from Oburu and ODM Officials
Several key figures have directly addressed the rumours to reassure the public:
- Dr. Oburu Oginga: Stated he had briefly visited the hospital for a routine check-up and returned home, noting, “Being sick is a normal human experience and should not alarm anyone. The day I am truly sick, I will inform you all, for I am a very transparent person.”
- Philip Etale (ODM Communications Director): Confirmed on Radio Generation that the senator went for a routine review on Sunday and was not rushed in. He advised that Oburu would take a few weeks off from active politics to rest.
- Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay Governor & ODM Chairperson): Visited him on Tuesday evening and posted, “My PL Dr Oburu is recovering steadily. I was with him this evening and he is in high spirits.”
Context and Recent Medical History
The hospital visit follows a medical trip to the UK, from which Oburu returned to Kenya around September 25 after nearly three weeks of tests and rest on his doctors’ advice. Recent reviews were linked to his blood pressure, which sources indicate has since stabilized.
This is not the first time false claims have targeted the senator. In early September, a TikTok post falsely claimed he had passed away—a claim fact-checked and rated false by PesaCheck after he was photographed hosting Kenya’s High Commissioner in London.
Conclusion
The confirmed details are clear: Oburu Oginga is resting under medical advice following a routine hospital review, and reports of his death are entirely unfounded.