IN SHORT: Shortly after the announcement of former Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga’s death on 15 October 2025, some social media posts claimed that his older brother had been rushed to the hospital. However, these claims are false.
On 15 October 2025, Kenya’s former prime minister, Raila Odinga, died at a hospital in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
Shortly after the announcement of his death, several social media posts claimed that his older brother, Oburu Odinga, was rushed to a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
One post reads: “Raila’s elder brother Oburu Odinga collapses, rushed to Karen Hospital. Quick recovery.”
Oburu is a Kenyan politician and the current senator for Siaya county.
Ignore rumours on social media
Africa Check found no credible media reports on Oburu collapsing and being rushed to the hospital. If he had been hospitalised the same day his younger brother died, it would’ve caught the media’s attention.
Footage of Oburu actively participating in a series of memorial events and the funeral service of his younger brother is widely available.
On 16 October, the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) announced Oburu as its acting leader, replacing his late brother. The ODM made no mention of him being hospitalised.
We found no evidence to support the claim that Oburu Odinga collapsed and was rushed to hospital.
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