Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has addressed supporters at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi through a phone call, thanking Kenyans for standing with him during his recent illness and giving an update on his recovery.
Oburu spoke on Saturday, October 31, 2026, amid concerns over his health and his absence from recent political engagements.
The ODM leader expressed gratitude to party members and other Kenyans who had sent messages of sympathy and wished him a quick recovery, saying he had experienced illness like any other person.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for having sympathised with me during the time I have been sick. I have been sick like any other human being,” he said.
Oburu acknowledged that his recovery was progressing gradually, explaining that returning to his normal activities would take time. He told supporters that resuming his responsibilities, including activities connected to the country’s development, required patience as he continued recovering.
“Going out of it goes slowly. It takes time to do the activities which lead to the development of our country,” he stated.
The phone address came two days after Oburu issued a statement addressing the ongoing negotiations between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), warning individuals outside the opposition party against interfering in the discussions.
In the statement released on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the ODM leader thanked Kenyans, party members, friends and other supporters for their prayers and goodwill during his absence from active political engagements.
He acknowledged the support he had received while assuring the public that his health was improving.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to Kenyans, the ODM fraternity, friends and well wishers for their prayers, goodwill and unwavering support during my recovery,” the statement read.
However, Oburu expressed concern over attempts by certain individuals, including people who were not ODM members, to influence how the party conducted its negotiations with UDA.
He accused the individuals of taking advantage of his temporary absence to prescribe the direction the discussions should take, including whether the two parties should formalise their engagement through a written agreement.
“I assure you that I am making steady progress and remain firmly on the path to full recovery. During my temporary absence from active political engagement, I have observed with concern attempts by certain individuals, including some non-ODM members, to exploit the situation by prescribing how our Party should negotiate with UDA, including whether or not such negotiations should culminate in a written agreement,” the statement added.
Oburu also defended ODM’s contribution to Kenya’s political development, saying the party had made sacrifices and remained committed to supporting the country’s progress and stability.
He cautioned against turning the ongoing negotiations into public spectacles, arguing that discussions between political parties required seriousness and should not be conducted under pressure from public commentary.
“We’ve made our contribution, made sacrifices and will continue to do so for sake of progress and stability of our nation. These negotiations are serious political engagements, not public spectacles to be conducted in the glare of television cameras,” the statement noted.
The ODM leader further reaffirmed that the full implementation of the 10-point agenda remained a central condition in the party’s engagement with UDA. He maintained that ODM would not compromise on the commitments contained in the agenda, alongside other national priorities, as the negotiations continued.
“Full implementation of the 10-point agenda, among other pressing national priorities, remains a fundamental, non-negotiable pillar of our engagement with UDA. Our commitment to this agenda is absolute,” the statement read.
In his concluding remarks, Oburu urged people who were not members of ODM to refrain from offering unsolicited advice on the party’s negotiations and instead focus on challenges facing the country. “I advise those outside ODM to concentrate on the many pressing challenges confronting our country and spare us their unsolicited counsel,” the statement concluded.
