Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has disclosed new details about the illness that led to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s medical trip to India.
Speaking on Sunday, November 2, Oburu said doctors in Nairobi discovered a blood clot in Raila’s head during an examination.
He revealed that local specialists prescribed strong medication to dissolve the clot, but the treatment significantly weakened Raila.
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“A blood clot was discovered in the late Raila’s head, and it was being dissolved by our doctors here in Nairobi, but they were using strong medicine, which was wearing him down. He was feeling weak and tired because of that kind of medication,” Oburu explained.
Raila later travelled abroad, where doctors in Mumbai successfully cleared the clot.
“By the time he left the hospital, he was up and about and went to recuperate in Kerala,” Oburu added.
The Senator also addressed internal matters within ODM, urging party members to focus on unity rather than internal battles.
He dismissed calls to remove Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, insisting this is not the time for expulsions or divisions.
“This is not the time to talk about the ouster of any ODM member. This is the time to bring unity in the party,” he said, adding that Sifuna was executing his duties effectively.
Oburu defended Sifuna’s recent remarks on the broad-based government and the 2027 election, noting they reflect ODM’s official stance.
“When Edwin Sifuna said whatever he said, he was within his rights… that is the position,” he stated.
His remarks come days after Nyando MP Jared Okello explained why ODM settled on Oburu as acting party leader after Raila’s passing.
Okello pointed to Oburu’s deep history in the party and long-standing political experience, saying the party needed steady leadership during its ongoing engagements with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He also clarified that Oburu’s appointment is temporary, pending ratification by the ODM National Delegates Conference.
“Anyone who feels they have stronger credentials… will have an opportunity to present their vision,” he noted, emphasizing ODM’s commitment to internal democracy.