His extended silence had sparked widespread rumours about his health, but on Friday, November 28, the veteran politician stepped forward to set the record straight and reassure supporters across the country.
In a message shared on his official X account, Oburu congratulated ODM candidates who delivered strong victories in the recently concluded by-elections.
His statement not only celebrated the party’s wins but also served as his first public communication after weeks of conjecture.
“Congratulations to our ODM candidates Moses Omondi (Ugunja), Boyd Were (Kasipul) and Harrison Kombe (Magarini). Your victories reflect the trust and confidence the people continue to place in your leadership,” Oburu wrote.
His remarks instantly calmed growing concerns, confirming that he remains actively engaged in party affairs despite his short break from political activity.
The by-election triumphs boosted ODM morale, and many within the party viewed his message as a sign of renewed stability in the wake of leadership transitions following the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
A Sabbatical That Sparked a Storm
Speculation first began swirling on November 21 when Oburu announced he was taking a brief sabbatical to “recollect, recharge, and reset.”
Though his statement emphasized that he was in good health and high spirits, the timing coincided with tense political moments and family developments, prompting many Kenyans to assume the worst.
The situation escalated when he travelled to Dubai shortly after the announcement. Social media users quickly theorized that the trip was for medical reasons, a narrative that spread widely until Jaoko Oburu, his son, intervened to clarify the situation.
In a video posted on November 22, Jaoko explained that the family insisted the ODM leader take time off to rest after an intense season of travel, meetings and transition roles within the party.
“We took mzee to rest. We forced him to take a break. He will return at the end of next week,” Jaoko said, emphasizing that his father did not travel due to illness.
He added light-heartedly that Oburu was enjoying some downtime:
“Mzee ameenda kunyoroshwa na kutembea tembea. He loves walking, so we let him unwind.”
To further dispel rumours, Jaoko stressed that Oburu had no health complications, calling the online claims unfounded and misleading.
Oburu’s re-emergence and clear message have steadied the party base, reaffirming that he remains firmly in control of ODM leadership as the political scene continues to shift.
His return next week is expected to reinvigorate party activities as the opposition restructures ahead of national political battles.
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