ODM Party Leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has announced that he will not make any public appearances in the immediate future as he continues recovering following weeks of medical treatment.
The veteran politician’s decision comes amid growing public interest in his health, with Kenyans seeking updates about his condition following his absence from several public engagements.
According to a statement issued by ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale on October 13, the family has been affected by the circulation of unverified reports about Oburu’s health.
Etale confirmed that the senator had been receiving treatment both locally and abroad and appealed to Kenyans to give him adequate time to recover.
The party leader is now expected to prioritise his recovery before resuming his normal political activities.
Oburu’s absence has attracted considerable attention among ODM supporters, particularly following his failure to attend events organised to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of his younger brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The anniversary celebrations brought together political leaders, family members and supporters who gathered to honour Raila’s contribution to the country.
Oburu’s absence from the gathering prompted questions from some residents, forcing leaders present to explain that he was resting on medical advice.
ODM officials have repeatedly maintained that the party leader remains involved in party affairs despite stepping back from public engagements.
In an earlier communication, his secretariat said he was following doctors’ instructions to rest and limit physically demanding activities.
The latest development is likely to provide further context for his continued absence from the political scene.
Meanwhile, ODM has urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information about the senator’s health, insisting that updates should come through official communication channels.
The party has not provided a specific date for Oburu’s return to public appearances.
For now, his immediate priority remains recovery, with supporters expected to await further communication from his family and the party leadership regarding his return to active public life.