ODM leader Oburu Oginga has moved to assure supporters following his prolonged absence from several public and party functions.
Oburu maintained that he remains firmly in charge of party affairs and fully engaged in its operations.
Speaking to The Star, the Siaya Senator dismissed speculation over his well-being, saying his reduced public appearances should not be misinterpreted.
“I am okay. I am available, and everything that is going on in the party, I’m firmly in charge,” Oburu said.
He further reassured supporters that ODM remains strong and stable, adding that the party is focused on strengthening its structures and networks ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“The party is in good shape. There is no worry. Our people should know that we are working for them,” he added.
His remarks come amid increasing speculation over his absence from key political and parliamentary engagements in recent weeks, sparking speculation within political circles and among ODM supporters about his state of involvement in day-to-day leadership.
Last week on Monday, Oburu excused himself from a Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee sitting, informing the committee chairperson, Mohamed Abass that he was unwell.
Beyond Senate duties, the ODM leader has also missed several notable public events.
He was absent during the burial of Seme MP James Nyikal’s father in Kisumu, an event attended by several senior political figures from the region.
He also did not attend the party’s youth convention held in Malindi, Kilifi County, a gathering that brought together ODM youth leaders and key party officials to strategise on mobilisation ahead of the next election cycle.
Additionally, Oburu was not present during President William Ruto’s recent tour of Kibra Constituency, an area considered politically significant and historically linked to ODM’s late party leader Raila Odinga.
During the visit, the President commissioned several development projects, including eight new classrooms at Raila Education Centre and ten additional classrooms at Joseph Kang’ethe Primary School.
The President also inspected the ongoing construction of the 4,600-unit Soweto Affordable Housing Project in Lang’ata Constituency and announced plans for another 15,000 housing units in Kibra.
Oburu, who chairs the Senate Energy Committee, was also absent from a key committee meeting held on Wednesday with Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
Despite the string of absences, he maintained that ODM remains united and strategically focused, downplaying concerns about internal leadership gaps.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
ODM leader Oburu Oginga has reassured supporters that he remains in charge of party affairs despite his recent absence from public and parliamentary engagements. He insisted ODM is stable and focused on strengthening its structures ahead of 2027 elections, dismissing concerns over his health and visibility. However, his missed Senate committee meetings and key political events have fueled speculation about his role and activity level. The situation highlights growing scrutiny of ODM’s internal coordination and leadership visibility during a crucial political transition period.
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