The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has moved to clarify reports circulating on social media regarding the health of party leader Dr Oburu Odinga, assuring members of the public that he is safe and in good spirits. In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Office of the ODM Party Leader dismissed the reports as false and malicious, urging Kenyans to seek information about the party leader from official communication channels.
The party said the reports emerged as Oburu was preparing his official speech ahead of the handover ceremony of the mausoleum of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Kang’o ka Jaramogi. According to the ODM secretariat, the party leader remained engaged with party and national affairs despite following medical advice to rest and reduce strenuous physical activities.
The office said Oburu was continuing to observe his doctors’ directives, including taking a forced rest and limiting heavy physical engagements. However, the party maintained that the directives had not prevented him from remaining updated on developments within ODM and across the country.
ODM Warns Against Misinformation
The party also raised concerns over what it described as the deliberate spread of misinformation through social media platforms. ODM urged members, supporters and the wider public to exercise caution when encountering reports concerning the party leadership, particularly where such claims are not supported by official communication. The party further indicated that it was consulting its leadership over possible legal action against those responsible for spreading the claims.
The Office of the Party Leader also appealed to media organisations and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing reports about Oburu’s health.
Social Media Claim
The ODM statement followed a post made on X by blogger Maverick Aoko at around 7pm, in which she made an unverified claim concerning Oburu’s death. The claim subsequently attracted attention online, prompting the party to issue a clarification on the status of its leader.
ODM rejected the claim and maintained that Oburu was safe and continuing to engage with party and national matters. The party’s statement did not provide further medical details about Oburu, but focused on dismissing the reports circulating online and directing the public to rely on verified information from official sources.
