Kenyans wondering about the whereabouts of Oburu Oginga got their answer at the Raila Odinga candle lighting ceremony in Siaya on October 14, 2026, when the late politician’s sister stepped up to the podium to speak on the family’s behalf.
Akinyi Wenwa addressed mourners at the tented commemorative gathering held at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, delivering an apology from Oburu, who could not make it due to ongoing health concerns.
What Akinyi Wenwa said about Oburu Oginga
She told the audience that Dr Oburu had sent his regrets and that his doctor had yet to clear him to attend.
“Doctor Oburu has sent his apologies. He’s still feeling unwell. He’s not been given the clean bill of health by the doctor, but he’s okay,” Akinyi said from the podium.
The clarification came as many Kenyans were asking why Oburu, Raila’s older brother and a longtime political figure in his own right, was missing from such a significant occasion.
His absence had fuelled speculation online, making Akinyi’s explanation all the more timely.
The ceremony marked approximately one year since Raila Odinga, one of Kenya’s most prominent opposition figures, passed away.
The event was a reflective gathering, with speakers sharing personal memories in a solemn atmosphere.
Beyond delivering Oburu’s apology, Akinyi offered a candid reflection on grief, pushing back gently against the popular notion that time eases loss.
“Today we are marking one year after, or almost one year after Raila passed. And it is incredible and unbelievable that one year has passed. They say time heals and in most cases this is true,” she said, before adding, “but this time round, time has not healed.”
She explained that the pain remains fresh partly because Raila’s presence lives on in the media.
She noted that listeners tuning into Ramoji FM each morning encounter a programme called ‘Baba Said’, which regularly features his famous sayings and voice recordings, making it feel as though he is never truly gone.
The gathering drew family members, close friends and supporters who came together to honour Raila’s memory at his home area in Siaya.
