A crowd at the Migwena Cultural and Sports Grounds in Bondo was loud and restless on Thursday, chanting the name of ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga as the first anniversary of his brother Raila Odinga's death was marked. Many people in the crowd wanted to know one thing: where is Oburu?
The veteran politician was not at the event. He had sent word from hospital that he would miss the main memorial, after also skipping the candle lighting at Kang'o ka Jaramogi the day before. Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who is also ODM Deputy Party Leader, was set to read Oburu's speech on his behalf.
Speaking at the Memorial, Ida Odinga, Raila's widow, said Oburu was not feeling well but was not seriously sick. "He is alive," she said. She added that the doctors looking after him had advised him to take it slow and avoid rowdy rallies like the one in Bondo.
Those words did little to calm people who had been worried for weeks. Oburu, who turns 83 today, has been dogged by health rumours since September. He travelled to the United Kingdom that month for what he called a routine medical check-up, and he said at the time that the trip was part of attending to health needs that come with age. Last week, The Star reported that he had been admitted again to Nairobi Hospital, where a source said he was being treated for a chronic illness.
On October 6, the office of the ODM leader hit back hard at social media posts claiming he had died. The office called the claims "malicious, unfounded fake news and propaganda" and said he was well, safe and in good spirits. It also said he was following doctors' orders to rest and cut back on heavy physical activity, while still keeping up with party and national matters.
That statement did not stop the questions. Oburu missed the handover of his brother's mausoleum on October 7, when President William Ruto officially dedicated it at Kang'o ka Jaramogi. Raila Odinga Junior read an apology on his behalf. Oburu's son, Jaoko Oburu, attended the ceremony with other members of the family.
Many Kenyans have noticed that the official messages about Oburu's health have changed over time. First he was said to be well and working. Then he was said to be resting. Now he is said to be in hospital and too unwell to travel to his brother's memorial. Some people online have called for a clear, independent update from his doctors instead of statements from his office.
For ODM supporters, the day was about remembering Raila, the man who led the party for decades and who died on October 15, 2025, after a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in India. The memorial programme continues with more events until a closing gathering in Nairobi on October 31. But for many people standing in the Bondo heat, the question of Oburu's health was impossible to ignore.
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