- Mama Ida Odinga addressed concerns about Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga's health at Raila's one-year memorial in Bondo
- Oburu, Raila's elder brother, did not attend the October 15 event, with rumours about his condition circulating on social media for weeks
- The memorial service at Migwena Grounds in Siaya County marked one year since the death of former ODM leader Raila Odinga
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Mama Ida Odinga has publicly confirmed that Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga is alive, addressing concerns about his health during the memorial service marking one year since the death of her late husband, former ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking at the Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, October 15, Ida explained why Oburu, Raila's elder brother, was absent from the gathering.
"Dr Oburu is not feeling well but he is not very sick. He is alive. The doctors who are looking after him have said that he should go slow and not to come to a rowdy rally like this," she said.
Oburu's Health Scare and Rumours
Oburu had been admitted to The Nairobi Hospital on Sunday, October 4, only days after returning from the United Kingdom, where he had spent close to three weeks receiving medical treatment.
He had landed back in Kenya on September 25.
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His hospitalisation triggered speculation on social media, with rumours circulating that he had died.
Oburu responded through an official statement on his social media pages, dismissing the claims and criticising those wishing ill upon him.
His illness also prevented him from attending the commissioning of his late brother's mausoleum on October 7, an event presided over by President William Ruto.
Oburu sent his apologies but issued a statement appreciating the president for delivering the government-funded project.
One Year Since Raila's Death
Raila died on October 15, 2025, aged 80, in India after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during his morning walk.
He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital, but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
His body was flown home on a Kenya Airways flight and arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on October 16.
Ruto authorised a state funeral with full military honours and declared seven days of national mourning. Raila was buried on October 19, with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) honouring him with a 17-gun salute.
A year on, Ida said the loss had not fully settled. She recalled receiving the news of his passing through a phone call from her daughter Winnie. "Ten minutes later, Winnie calls me and tells me, we've lost the battle. She said Dad is gone, and that is how I received the news. It was not easy. It has not been very easy; it has been difficult," she said.
ODM organised a month-long series of events in October under a programme dubbed "Mwezi wa Baba," which began on October 2 with a national candle-lighting exercise.
A major gathering was held in Kakamega on October 9, before Raila's family took charge of proceedings from October 10 leading up to the Bondo memorial.
Regional meetings are also planned in Garissa, the Coast, Kajiado, and Turkana, with the programme culminating in a large event in Nairobi on October 31.
Source: TUKO.co.ke