Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has moved to dispel speculation surrounding the wellbeing of ODM party leader Oburu Odinga after rumours circulated on social media claiming he had died.
The rumours emerged on Tuesday evening, October 6, prompting questions about the former Siaya senator’s condition.
Wanga, who also serves as ODM’s national chairperson, later confirmed that she had visited Oburu and found him in good spirits. In a statement shared on X, Wanga said Oburu was recovering steadily following a medical trip abroad and a routine check-up at The Nairobi Hospital.
“My PL Dr Oburu is recovering steadily. I was with him this evening and he is in high spirits. We continue to pray for his full recovery,” she said.
Her remarks appeared to put to rest the claims circulating online about the ODM leader’s health.
What Dennis Itumbi said on Oburu’s health
The reports also attracted a response from Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination Dennis Itumbi, who urged social media users to ignore unverified claims.
“Not everyone with a social media account deserves your attention. Ignore the fake news. Starve such purveyors of fiction,” Itumbi said.
He criticised those spreading what he described as fabricated information, adding that such reports represented “the lowest form of humanity”.
Oburu’s son, Jaoko Oburu Odinga, also appeared to respond to the speculation, directing his criticism at social media commentator Maverick Aoko.
“This is very careless of you Maverick Aoko,” Jaoko said in a post on X.