Oburu Oginga health journey: What we know about his past hospitalisations

Veteran politician Oburu Oginga, the Siaya Senator and leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has had several documented hospitalizations in recent years. The first major hospitalization occurred in November 2022 when he travelled to Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad, India, for treatment of a long-standing knee issue. Oburu underwent a successful surgery on November 26, 2022, and later revealed that he had chosen India for the treatment due to its significantly lower cost compared to Kenya.

After his recovery, he expressed hope to return to his favorite hobby of golf. This hospitalization also sparked discussions about healthcare costs in Kenya. In October 2025, after the death of his younger brother Raila Odinga, Oburu took a short sabbatical to Dubai for emotional and physical recovery, though this was later clarified as not a hospitalization but rather a brief break.

Another hospitalization was confirmed in August 2026 at Nairobi Hospital, where he was admitted but the specific medical condition was not disclosed. Oburu thanked supporters for visiting him and stated that he was recovering at home. Throughout his career, Oburu has often been subject to false or exaggerated claims about his health on social media, including rumors of collapses or secret hospitalizations.

However, his verified medical episodes have not prevented him from continuing his public life, and he remains one of Kenya's longest-serving politicians.