For weeks, social media declared him dead. On Wednesday, a smiling Oburu Oginga received the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament at his Nairobi home and told them the rumour-mongers had only made him tougher.

The ODM party leader and Siaya Senator, who is recovering at home after being discharged from hospital, hosted National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on November 4, 2026. The two led a delegation of MPs and senators who went to wish him a quick and full recovery.

"Those who wrote me off while I was in hospital by declaring me dead only made me stronger and more determined to fight my sickness. Here I am, recovering and growing stronger by the day," Oburu said, according to accounts of the visit carried by the Standard, Capital FM and People Daily.

'Very soon, I will be back'

The veteran politician admitted that his illness had slowed down his political work, but he insisted the break was temporary.

"The sickness slowed my political activities. Very soon, I will be back, roaring in the best way I know how," he said.

He told his guests he missed the cut and thrust of the Senate floor and asked his supporters to keep praying for him and to be patient as he completes his recovery. "I miss being on the floor of the House debating and roaring in the political arena," he said.

Oburu also said he was deeply touched that the leaders of both Houses had found time to check on him. "I have no words to explain my feelings after the Speakers of both Houses and fellow legislators created time to come and check on me," he said. Accounts of the visit say he kept his guests laughing with his familiar humour.

Speakers urge caution

Wetang'ula said the delegation was encouraged by the progress Oburu had made, but advised him not to hurry back to the campaign trail. "Prioritise your health and avoid rushing back into political engagements before making a full recovery," the National Assembly Speaker said, praising the ODM leader's courage.

Kingi said the Senate had felt his absence in its debates and in national politics. "We pray that you get better and resume your political duties as soon as possible," he said.

According to the Standard, the two Speakers also condemned the spread of false information online, especially the claims that the senator had died while undergoing treatment.

Why it matters for ODM

Oburu took over the leadership of ODM following the death of his younger brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and his health has been closely watched as the party weighs its options for 2027. His long stay away from public life has come at a time when ODM is courting new members, among them Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and holding talks with President William Ruto's UDA.

People Daily earlier reported that the senator was admitted to Nairobi Hospital on August 29, after a previous stay between August 23 and 27. He has since been recovering at home.

His message on Wednesday was clear: he intends to return to the political arena, but only once his doctors and his body allow.

Photos: The Standard (Speaker's Press Unit); Capital FM. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.