The Secretariat of ODM Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the veteran politician has died, describing the reports as malicious propaganda and fake news.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Secretariat said Oburu was alive, safe and in good spirits, while condemning social media posts attributed to blogger Maverick Aoko concerning his health.
“The Office of the Party Leader wishes to categorically condemn and debunk the malicious, unfounded fake news and propaganda currently being circulated on social media platforms by Maverick Aoko regarding the health and wellbeing of the senior statesman and ODM Party Leader, Dr. Oburu Oginga,” the statement read.
The Secretariat accused those behind the reports of exploiting social media to spread false information and cause unnecessary distress to the politician's family, supporters and members of the public.
It said Oburu was engaged in preparing his official speech for the handover ceremony of the late Raila Odinga's mausoleum at Kang’o ka Jaramogi at the time the reports were being circulated.
President William Ruto is among high profile leaders expected to attend the handover in Siaya County, ahead of Raila's first death anniversary.
“In an ironic twist of fate to the merchants of propaganda, at the exact moment these malicious rumors were being manufactured and spread online, Dr. Oburu was actively in the middle of preparing his official speech for the high-profile handover ceremony of the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga Mausoleum at Kang’o ka Jaramogi,” the Secretariat stated.
The office, however, acknowledged that the ODM leader has been under doctors' instructions to rest and limit strenuous physical engagements.
According to the statement, Oburu remains mentally alert and continues to follow party and national affairs despite the medical advice to reduce his physical activities.
“While Dr. Oburu continues to observe strict directives from his doctors to take a forced rest and limit heavy physical engagements, he remains fully updated, mentally alert, and deeply engaged in key party and national matters,” the statement added.
The Secretariat urged members of the public, ODM supporters and the media to disregard unverified reports about Oburu's health and instead rely on official communication channels for updates.
It further said discussions were underway with the party leadership on possible legal action over the alleged misinformation.
The statement also warned against cyberbullying and the deliberate spread of false information targeting political leaders, urging those responsible to stop what it described as toxic online behaviour.
The reports concerning Oburu's alleged death come amid heightened public interest in the health of senior political figures, with social media platforms increasingly becoming a source of unverified claims being spread at breakneck speed about prominent Kenyans.
Oburu, the elder brother of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, assumed the leadership of the ODM Party following Raila’s death. He was also elected Siaya Senator in the 2022 General Election.
