The office of ODM Party Leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the veteran politician has died.In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, Oburu’s secretariat described the reports as malicious propaganda and fake news, urging the public to disregard the claims.The secretariat said Oburu was alive, safe and in good spirits, dismissing the reports attributed to a popular Kenyan blogger as false.“We wish to assure the general public, members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the people of Siaya County, and the entire nation that Dr. Oburu Oginga is well, safe, and in good spirits,” the secretariat said.The statement came amid growing speculation online over the politician’s health, with claims about his alleged death spreading across social media platforms.Oburu’s office said the reports were being circulated despite the lawmaker remaining involved in party and national affairs.The secretariat disclosed that Oburu was at the time preparing his official speech for the handover ceremony of the late Raila Odinga’s mausoleum at Kang'o ka Jaramogi.President William Ruto is among high profile leaders expected to attend the handover in Siaya County, ahead of Raila's first anniversary.The office, however, acknowledged that the ODM leader has been under doctors’ instructions to rest and limit strenuous physical engagements.Even so, it said Oburu remained mentally alert and continued to follow developments within the party and on national matters despite reducing his physical engagements.The secretariat condemned the spread of what it termed false information, accusing those behind the reports of using social media to cause unnecessary distress to his family, supporters and the public.“Free speech and open media are pillars of our democracy, but they must never be perverted into tools for malice, character assassination, and causing unnecessary distress to families and the public,” the statement said.Oburu, the elder brother of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, took over as ODM Party Leader following Raila’s death in October 2025.
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