By Faith Lagat
A post on X by @NyakundiReport on September 1, 2026, stated: “Siaya Senator and ODM Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has been admitted to the hospital. Only his wives and children were allowed to visit him.”
The post attached a video of Oburu speaking at an ODM public rally.
Published on September 1, 2026, the post was written in the present tense, presenting Oburu as being in hospital that day.
The claim circulated amid reports about the health of the 83-year-old ODM leader after he missed some public engagements in late August.
Background
Dr Oburu Oginga, born on October 15, 1943, is the Siaya Senator and ODM party leader. He is the eldest son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the older brother of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died in India on October 15, 2025. Following Raila’s death, Oburu was appointed interim ODM leader and later confirmed as the party’s leader.
Public concern about Oburu’s health has surfaced several times, with a mix of confirmed medical episodes and rumours that have subsequently been denied by him, his family, or ODM officials.
In November 2022, Oburu underwent knee treatment at Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad, India. He subsequently spoke publicly about his recovery and his plans to return to golf. Yashoda Hospitals provides specialised orthopaedic and knee treatment in Hyderabad.
In November 2025, shortly after Raila’s death, Oburu travelled to Dubai for a brief break. His family said the trip was intended to give him time to rest after the intense political and family responsibilities surrounding Raila’s death. It was described as a short sabbatical to “recollect, recharge, and reset,” and said he was in good health and high spirits. He returned to Kenya on November 27.
Moments that triggered concern
On August 10, 2026, during a joint UDA-ODM retreat in Naivasha, Oburu stopped reading a prepared speech midway and said, “My eyes are failing me.” He put the written speech aside and continued addressing the gathering without his notes. No specific medical diagnosis was publicly linked to the incident.
In April and May 2026, Oburu’s reduced public appearances also prompted speculation about his health and whereabouts. On May 8, he appeared in Kisumu playing golf and told Kenyans he was “not sick” and had not been abducted.
Oburu has repeatedly been the subject of false claims about his health and whereabouts. In December 2025, Africa Check debunked social media claims that he had died, noting that he had travelled to Dubai for a short break and had subsequently returned to Kenya.
Oburu had visited Nairobi Hospital in late August. Reports placed one hospital stay between August 22 and 27 and another visit around August 29 to 31.
His specific diagnosis was not made public. A doctor later described his condition as not major and said his blood sugar had dropped.
The late-August hospitalisation is established. However, there is no evidence that Oburu was still in hospital on September 1.
Verification
Piga Firimbi reviewed the original X post and video, Oburu’s verified X statement of September 1, statements from Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and ODM communications director Philip Etale, as well as reports and photographs of Oburu’s subsequent activities.
Oburu was hospitalised in late August. The September 1 post presented that hospitalisation as ongoing.
In interviews the same day, Oburu said he had been discharged on Monday, August 31, and was recovering at his Nairobi home.
At 10:27 GMT on September 1, Oburu posted that he was “very well” and had made only a brief general check-up visit before returning home. He added that if he were genuinely sick, he would inform the public himself.
Nyakundi Report later published a follow-up post saying that Oburu had denied being admitted.
Millie Odhiambo said she had visited Oburu in hospital the previous week and spent nearly an hour with him. She said “there were no restrictions placed on visiting him” and that he was already at home on September 1.
Oburu also said Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and other leaders had visited him during his hospital stay, contradicting the claim that access was limited to his wives and children.
On September 1, Etale said Oburu was hosting friends at his Kitisuru residence. Oburu also shared photographs of himself having breakfast at home while reading a newspaper.
On September 3, Oburu received Senate Energy Committee chair William Kisang, vice-chair Beatrice Ogolla, and Nicholas Gumbo at his home.
On September 4, Nyandarua Senator John Methu visited him there and delivered goats and sheep.
Piga Firimbi found no evidence identifying a named MP who was turned away from Oburu’s hospital room on September 1.
Verdict
Oburu was hospitalised in late August. The claim that he was still hospitalised on September 1, with only his wives and children allowed to visit, is FALSE.
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