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NAIROBI, October 8, 2026

False reports claiming that Siaya Senator and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has died have circulated widely on social media, prompting his office, family members and political colleagues to issue statements disputing the claims.

The rumours emerged on Tuesday, October 6, amid existing public concern over the veteran politician’s health. Oburu’s secretariat subsequently said the senator was alive, safe and in good spirits, while confirming that he had been advised by doctors to rest and limit strenuous engagements. 

The reports gained traction after social-media posts claimed that the 83-year-old politician had died. His office attributed the latest claims to online misinformation and urged members of the public and the media to rely on official communication rather than unverified social-media posts. 

The latest rumours came against the backdrop of genuine concerns about Oburu’s health.

The senator had recently sought medical attention, with ODM communications officials saying he was resting on medical advice. His office said he was continuing to observe doctors’ instructions to reduce heavy physical activity while remaining engaged with party and national affairs. 

ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga also said she had visited Oburu and found him in good spirits. On Wednesday, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna referred to the reports in the Senate, expressing concern about misinformation surrounding his colleague’s health. 

The issue remained in the public spotlight after Oburu was unable to attend the handover and dedication ceremony for the mausoleum of his late brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo.

Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, apologised for Oburu’s absence and said he was unwell, while asking Kenyans to continue praying for his recovery. TThe Star

The latest episode is not the first time false reports of Oburu’s death have circulated online.

In September, fact-checking organisation Africa Check investigated social-media posts claiming that Oburu had died. Some of the posts used videos purporting to show President William Ruto announcing his death.

Africa Check found that the videos had been misleadingly edited or taken out of context. In one case, footage of President Ruto referring to the late Raila Odinga was edited in a way that made it appear as though he was announcing Oburu’s death. Another video showing Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto paying respects to a body was actually footage from the public viewing of Raila Odinga’s body following his death in October 2025. 

Africa Check reported at the time that the false claims had attracted millions of views across social-media platforms.

The recurrence of the rumours has renewed concerns about the speed at which unverified information about prominent public figures can spread online.

Oburu’s office has urged the public to disregard what it described as sensational and unfounded reports and to seek confirmation through official channels. The office also said it was consulting ODM leadership over possible legal action concerning the circulation of the claims.

For now, there is no credible evidence that Oburu Oginga has died. Public statements from his office and political colleagues instead indicate that he is alive and recovering while observing medical advice. His exact medical condition has not been publicly disclosed.

The episode highlights the difficulty of separating genuine health updates from false information online, particularly when rumours involve prominent political figures and are accompanied by old, edited or misleading video footage.

The World Rally Championship has confirmed that Kenya will host the Safari Rally once again in 2027, securing the country’s place on the official calendar. Organisers indicated that the event is expected to return to the Naivasha area, continuing the successful format that has drawn global attention in recent editions.

The confirmation comes as Kenya Railways also announced a June 2027 target for completion of the Standard Gauge Railway extension, with billions of shillings allocated for compensation of affected persons.

Officials said the railway projects include planned connections to major Nairobi sporting venues, underscoring broader infrastructure momentum.

Local stakeholders welcomed the WRC news as a boost for tourism, hospitality and motorsport development. The Safari Rally remains one of the most distinctive and challenging events on the world calendar, known for its demanding terrain and passionate local support.

Preparations for the 2027 edition are expected to begin in earnest once the full calendar details and exact dates are finalised. The dual announcements of the rally and railway progress were viewed as positive signals for Kenya’s sporting and transport sectors on the same day.

Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba announced on Thursday that she is leaving the ruling United Democratic Alliance and will not seek re-election on its ticket.

Speaking at a press briefing, she said extensive consultations with constituents, community leaders and the church had led her to conclude that her conscience would not allow her to continue associating with party figures she accused of showing disregard for other communities.

Wamuchomba specifically criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over remarks she described as targeting the Mount Kenya community and said her earlier calls for disciplinary action had been ignored. She stated she would defend her seat for a third term but through a different political vehicle that she will name after further consultations with voters.

The announcement marks another notable defection from UDA ranks in the Mount Kenya region as political realignments intensify ahead of 2027.

Wamuchomba had previously threatened to withdraw support from the Kenya Kwanza administration over similar concerns. She said she would now join ordinary Kenyans in calling out what she termed selective justice and disrespectful rhetoric.

Party leadership had not issued an immediate detailed response by late Thursday. The exit adds to a series of strategic shifts by politicians recalibrating their positions in the run-up to the next general election.

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has formally resigned as chairperson of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Council with immediate effect. In a letter dated 5 October he linked the decision to his recent handover of Jubilee Party leadership, stating it was part of the ongoing renewal of democratic institutions. The coalition has since rebranded as The Ukombozi Alliance.

Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka confirmed receipt of the resignation and thanked Kenyatta for his stewardship, emphasising that the former president remains a committed member ready to offer counsel when needed.

Kalonzo clarified that the party-leader and council-chair positions are distinct and that no leadership vacuum exists. Names of Rigathi Gachagua and Siaya Governor James Orengo have been floated as possible replacements during internal discussions.

The move comes weeks after a High Court ruling restricted retired presidents from holding formal party office beyond six months after leaving State House. Kenyatta had already stepped aside from Jubilee leadership in favour of Fred Matiang’i. Opposition figures are now accelerating realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kalonzo insisted the resignation does not signal any fracture within the alliance and reaffirmed the coalition’s unity of purpose. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has reserved the name The Ukombozi Alliance, formalising the rebrand as parties position themselves for the next electoral contest.

Kenya is racing to contain its first confirmed imported Ebola case after a Kenyan man who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years died in a Nairobi hospital.

The patient fell ill about a month earlier, received treatment in several DRC facilities, travelled by road to Kampala, and flew into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on a Jambojet flight on 3 October before being isolated. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed the case involved the Bundibugyo strain and that the man died late on 6 October.

Authorities have quarantined at least ten close contacts, including relatives and health workers, while tracing around 57 others who may have been exposed, among them passengers and crew from the same flight. More than 650,000 travellers have already been screened at ports of entry and 267 samples tested, with only this single positive result so far. Four hospitals have been designated for suspected cases and isolation capacity is being expanded.

The World Health Organization has advised Kenya against closing borders, recommending instead intensified entry screening, rapid contact tracing and targeted public-health measures. Duale has repeatedly assured the public that there is no outbreak inside Kenya and that the country remains open and safe for travel and trade. Counties such as Bomet have already set up sub-county preparedness centres to strengthen surveillance.

Concerns remain about how the patient crossed multiple borders while symptomatic without earlier detection. The Africa CDC is working with regional partners to bolster response capacity as the wider eastern Congo outbreak continues. Officials urge anyone with recent travel history from affected areas and compatible symptoms to seek care immediately.

By Hadrine Joyce
October 8, 2026

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has apprehended five people following a raid on a facility in Njiru, Nairobi, where banned plastic carrier bags were allegedly being manufactured.

NEMA said on Thursday that the operation was part of an intensified nationwide crackdown targeting the manufacture, distribution and use of banned plastic carrier and flat bags. 

The environmental authority said its enforcement officers recovered 90,695 banned single-use plastic bags during the operation.

Five people, including the owner of the facility, were apprehended during the raid. They were later booked at South B Police Station before being released on cash bail pending arraignment at the Kibera Law Courts, according to NEMA. 

Kenya introduced a ban on plastic carrier bags in 2017 as part of efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect the environment. NEMA has continued to enforce restrictions against prohibited plastic products. 

The latest operation comes as the authority steps up enforcement against manufacturers and distributors involved in the production and supply of banned plastic bags.

by.philes isaboke

The government has identified 109 organized criminal gangs across Kenya as it steps up security ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said yesterday the number has risen from 89 gangs declared illegal in 2016.

Western Kenya leads with 38 groups, followed by Rift Valley with 22 and Nairobi with 20. Nyanza has 12 and Coast has 11.

PS Omollo warned that youth groups are being recruited to perpetrate violence and intimidation and said security agencies have mapped all groups and will not allow disruption of peace.

By.philes isaboke

President William Ruto yesterday signed a 388.2 billion shillings Memorandum of Understanding with Endelevu Enterprise Corporation to build a green mobility ecosystem.

The project includes a plant to assemble 50,000 electric vehicles, a factory for 100,000 electric motorcycles, 1,000 solar charging hubs across the country and a digital platform to manage 100,000 vehicles.

Speaking at State House, Ruto said Kenya has been exporting jobs by importing fuel and vehicles and the deal will create thousands of jobs for youth in Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret while accelerating transition to clean transport.

by.philes isaboke

Senegal is bracing for more rain after heavy weekend floods killed several people in Dakar and surrounding regions.

Heavy rains on Sunday October 5th flooded roads and destroyed buildings. Local media reported a mother and her child killed in Parcelles Assainies area of Dakar after their home was flooded.

The Interior Ministry reported deaths and injuries in Dakar and Matam, with a building collapsing in Kaolack. Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo warned of high probability of more rain on Tuesday and Wednesday and said school opening this week could be postponed.

The meteorological agency ANACIM said Rufisque outside Dakar and Ranerou in Matam recorded 142 millimeters of rain in 24 hours while Dakar’s Yoff district recorded 138 millimeters.

The floods are testing infrastructure just 24 days before Senegal hosts the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics starting October 31st, the first Olympic event ever held in Africa.

by.philes isaboke

The Ministry of Health has announced enhanced screening at JKIA Gate 16 effective today for all aircraft arriving from 10 countries.

The countries are DRC, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Central African Republic.

CS Duale said Port Health officers have been deployed and health declaration forms are mandatory. He added that five border isolation centers near the Uganda border at Busia and Lwakhakha are being prepared within 10 to 14 days.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said Kenya has screened 652,584 travelers and tested 267 suspected samples across five laboratories since May when DRC and Uganda declared outbreaks. Only one has been positive.

Kenya has also trained 4,971 health workers and designated hospitals with isolation capacity including Kenyatta National Hospital with 8 beds, Moi Teaching and Referral with 50 beds and Nairobi Hospital with 143 beds.