Siaya Senator and acting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr. Oburu Oginga, has travelled to Dubai for what his family has described as a brief, personal break. The trip was confirmed by his younger sister, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Ms. Odinga clarified that the visit is a pre-planned, three-day trip intended to allow the Senator to rest and recharge following a hectic schedule. In a social media post on Friday, November 21, Dr. Oginga alluded to the break, stating he was "taking a short sabbatical to recollect, recharge, and reset," and affirmed that he is in "good health and high spirits."

The trip comes during a pivotal and demanding time for the 82-year-old statesman. Dr. Oginga assumed the role of acting ODM party leader in October 2025 following the death of his younger brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He has since been at the forefront of managing the party's transition, which included overseeing the state funeral arrangements and navigating the political realignments that followed.

A Period of Intense Political Activity

Dr. Oginga's brief sabbatical follows a period of significant political and personal responsibility. As the new head of ODM, he is tasked with stewarding the party's commitment to the 'broad-based government' arrangement established with President William Ruto's administration, a pact intended to ensure stability until the 2027 general election. This role has involved numerous high-stakes meetings, including the recent ODM@20 celebrations in Mombasa, aimed at unifying the party during a period of uncertainty.

His leadership appointment, however, has faced some internal resistance, adding to the pressures of his new role. The trip to Dubai offers a moment of respite from the intense public and political scrutiny that has accompanied his ascension to the party's helm.

Family and Political Context

The journey also carries a personal dimension. In a recent interview, Dr. Oginga revealed that he and his late brother had planned to meet in Dubai on October 19 to discuss important family matters, including the management of their estate, a meeting that was tragically preempted by Raila Odinga's death. While the current trip is officially for rest, it occurs in a location that held prior significance for the family's plans.

Dubai has increasingly become a destination for Kenyan political and business leaders for meetings and personal travel. Dr. Oginga's presence there, even on a private visit, is noteworthy given his new position as a central figure in Kenyan politics.

Leadership and Experience

A veteran politician with a career spanning over five decades, Dr. Oginga has extensive experience in both national and regional governance. He currently serves as the Senator for Siaya County and is the Chairperson of the powerful Senate Standing Committee on Energy. His previous roles include Member of Parliament for Bondo Constituency, Assistant Minister for Finance, and a representative for Kenya in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) from 2018 to 2022. This deep background in legislative and executive functions informs his current leadership of ODM as it navigates its future path.

According to his sister, Dr. Oginga is expected to return to Kenya after his three-day break.