Oburu Oginga confirms UK medical check-up after party said he was on official duties

Nairobi, Kenya — ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has announced he is currently in the United Kingdom to undergo a routine medical check-up, just one day after the party announced he was abroad on official duties. In a statement released on Thursday, Senator Oginga revealed he journeyed to the UK following his doctors' advice and at the recommendation of the party leadership.

According to Oginga, the trip would enable him to receive a comprehensive health evaluation while also providing him with the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate.

The confirmation follows an ODM Party statement on Wednesday, which had announced that Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati chaired a Central Committee meeting on behalf of Oburu, who was purportedly "out of the country on official duties." The statement provided no further details about Oburu’s whereabouts, nor did it suggest that his absence was related to his medical check-up.

This latest disclosure marks the first official confirmation of Oburu's overseas trip for medical reasons, as he described the assessment as routine without disclosing specific details about his health.

Oginga assured that his temporary absence would not impede the party's operations, viewing his absence as a deliberate strategy to allow the movement's leadership to showcase its strength. "As I attend to these personal health routine checks, that naturally come with advancing years, I view taking this step back as a deliberate, strategic moment for our movement," he noted.

He expressed confidence in his deputy leaders, Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir, as well as the National Central Committee and secretariat, to continue managing the party with their collective leadership, discipline, and vision.

The disclosure of Oginga's health situation follows renewed public interest sparked by an earlier hospital visit earlier this month, during which Oginga claimed to be "very well" after a brief medical check-up. While he has not disclosed any diagnosis or indicated that he is undergoing specialized treatment, Oginga has encouraged ODM members and supporters to remain united and focused on the party's national agenda.