‘I Will Not Die Before I Finish My Mission’ Oburu Odinga Speaks After Hospital Discharge

Veteran politician Dr. Oburu Odinga has revealed that a determination to live and complete his mission kept him alive during his recent hospitalisation, speaking publicly for the first time since his discharge.

Addressing the Speaker and fellow leaders, Dr. Odinga said his recovery was driven by an unshakeable spirit and a refusal to succumb to death before finishing his work.

“Madam Speaker, I had the spirit when I was lying there. I had the spirit that I don’t die and I will not die before I finish my mission. That’s why I’m up,” Dr. Odinga said. 

“If you have the spirit that you want to die, you will just die. But me, my spirit is to live and to live with you people, and we shall continue to be friends.“

The veteran leader choice that the will to survive is a choice, and his own was anchored in a desire to continue serving.

While reflecting on his recovery, he also took the opportunity to address political relationships, highlighting his friendship with Senate Majority Leader and DCP leader Senator Methu, who visited and called him during his illness despite their public policy disagreements.

“We make statements in regard to policies which are meant to help the people of Kenya, we differ, but even if we differ, we are still leaders of this country, and we are still friends,” he said. “And you don’t destroy friendship because you have differed politically. Because tomorrow you will be together.“

He urged leaders to maintain respect and decorum, noting that political competition should not breed enmity. “We don’t have enemies. We only have opponents, and let us not tear each other into pieces,” he stated. “Whoever wins, let them win fairly, and let democracy prevail.”