Oburu Odinga Travels To Dubai After Intense Political Period
Oburu had flown out of Kenya to unwind after weeks of intense political activity.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has stepped back briefly from the local political scene.
His sister, Ruth Odinga, revealed on Saturday morning, November 22, that Oburu had flown out of Kenya to unwind after weeks of intense political activity.
Ruth said the Siaya Senator travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a three-day break following a demanding schedule that included leading the party’s 20th Anniversary celebrations.
Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. /PCS
“ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has travelled to Dubai for a three-day visit to rest following a hectic political period,” Ruth announced.
A post shared on an X account linked to the ODM leader also stated that he had taken a short political timeout to reflect and regain his energy.
The update — later reposted by his son, Jaoko Oburu Odinga — read, “Feeling grateful for good health and high spirits. Taking a short sabbatical to recollect, recharge, and reset.”
His Dubai trip comes at a sensitive time for ODM, which has been dealing with internal tensions in recent weeks over the party’s direction.
The sudden foreign trip has fuelled speculation among Kenyans, coming barely two weeks after he assumed the party leadership.
Oburu’s elevation to the top position has drawn pushback from some party members, who have raised doubts about his ability to steer ODM.
Recently, a group of life members, led by Rachael Tabitha, issued a petition demanding the immediate resignation of Oburu from all party leadership positions.
The petitioners accused Oburu of violating the ODM Constitution, undermining internal democracy, and sidelining long-serving members in what they describe as a “dangerous departure” from the party’s founding principles.
The petition also pushed for a speedy National Delegates Convention (NDC) to rebuild the party’s legitimacy and to ensure life members — along with the entire ODM membership — are fully included in key decision-making.
Although many Kenyan politicians often travel abroad for rest or official matters, Dubai has increasingly become a go-to spot for leaders.
This marks Oburu’s first trip outside Kenya since the death of his brother, Raila Odinga, on October 15. Raila died after suffering cardiac arrest during a morning walk in India. Efforts to save him at Devamatha Hospital were unsuccessful.
