Oburu Oginga Addresses His First ODM Rally Since Discharge from Hospital

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga spoke to the Orange party's supporters as they gathered at Nairobi's Jacaranda Grounds Saturday, October 31, for the climax of the late Raila Odinga's commemoration.

The party had dedicated the whole of October this year to commemorating its founding leader, who died aged 80 on October 15, 2025.

Throughout the month, Raila's supporters took part in several activities to mark a year since his death, including candle lighting and anniversary celebrations at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15.

The highlight of the commemoration month was the commissioning of the government-sponsored Raila Odinga Mausoleum at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi by President William Ruto on October 7.

October 31 was dubbed "Mwezi wa Baba Grand Finale", bringing the month-long activities to an end.

In attendance were ranking ODM luminaries, among them governors Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay, who is also the party's national chairperson; Abdulswamad Nassir of Mombasa and Simba Arati of Kisii, both deputy party leaders; National Treasury CS John Mbadi; Mining CS Hassan Joho; Raila Odinga Junior; and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, among others.

Oburu addressed the packed venue in a pre-recorded message played to the attendees via huge screens installed on the venue.

He thanked ODM supporters and all who prayed for him while he was in hospital.

Oburu said he was recovering well and would soon hit the ground running to mobilise for the party and its activities.

"I am still not very well, but I am progressing well. It will go slowly and will take time. I am soon going to be out with you to do the activities that are necessary for the development of our country. I want to thank you for all the messages you have been sending me, including the wishes of quick recovery," he said.

He also acknowledged the significance of Raila's commemoration.

"This is a Raila Odinga event. We are celebrating. He was our national leader and, most importantly, the leader of ODM, and therefore ODM has a reason to celebrate this day," he said.

At the same time, Oburu stressed ODM's position on its association with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, saying his team is consciously engaging the outfit led by President William Ruto.

He said he would send a team to negotiate with UDA by February next year to formalise their arrangement ahead of the 2027 vote.

Oburu noted that a technical team is already finalising the initial groundwork for the coalition.

"We are in this broad-based government, and we are not there blindly. Raila did not join it blindly, and neither have we. We are there consciously, and we know what we are doing. A broad-based government is completely different from a coalition government, and it can't function the same. We are still negotiating," he said.