Questions are mounting over the health and whereabouts of ODM Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga. The 82-year-old has missed several recent party functions, including a major retreat in Mombasa. His absence has left many supporters worried.
Now, some party members are speaking out. They want ODM to urgently name a stand-in leader who can step in when Dr. Oburu is not available.
One of the most vocal voices is Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai. In a social media post, Alai said the party is putting too much pressure on the aging leader. He warned that forcing Dr. Oburu to travel by helicopter all the time is dangerous. “That will kill him,” Alai wrote. He added that the party must start grooming a new leader now. Otherwise, he said, ODM should just fold and find a new political vehicle.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati explained that the party leader missed the Mombasa retreat due to “unavoidable circumstances.” Dr. Oburu himself sent an apology message to delegates.
But that has not stopped the rumors. Online, many Kenyans are asking whether the veteran politician is unwell. Unverified reports continue to spread on social media. And while party insiders remain quiet, the calls for a succession plan are only getting louder.
For now, ODM remains officially silent on the matter of Dr. Oburu’s whereabouts and health. But the conversation is no longer going away. Many feel that if the party waits too long, it may risk falling apart.
