ODM leader Raila Odinga has planned
two major regional rallies as the party intensifies preparations for its 20th
anniversary celebrations.
The Orange party will Saturday hold a big rally in Wajir county, a traditional party stronghold, where the
former Prime Minister is expected to rally supporters and reassure the base of
ODM’s continued political muscle.
The ODM brigade will then proceed to
Nyanza for its second major public engagements in Kisii town on Friday.
Just like Wajir, Kisii is one of the
regions Raila has long counted on and where he is keen to consolidate ground
amid shifting political realignments with the emergence of former Interior
CS Fred Matiang’i’s candidature.
“As part of the build-up to the main
festivities, ODM will host regional events in Wajir town on September 20 and in
Kisii on September 26,” party secretary general Edwin Sifuna said in a statement.
The decision was reached during a National
Executive Committee (NEC) meeting chaired by ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga
in Nairobi on Thursday.
The meeting in Nairobi was attended by, among others, Sifuna, deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir, Simba Arati
and National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed.
The rallies, insiders reveal, will
serve a double purpose: celebrating two decades of ODM’s existence while also
marking the start of a political reset as the party positions itself ahead of
the 2027 elections.
Raila is expected to use the
platforms to outline ODM’s agenda for the future, showcase its resilience and
reassert his influence in national politics.
President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka are among the dignitaries expected at the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) 20th anniversary celebrations.
The three-day celebrations, set for October 10–12 in Mombasa, marks what
party insiders describe as the rebirth of ODM ahead of the 2027 election.
Mombasa also hosted the party’s 10th anniversary.
“This event will also be bringing together the founding members of this party. We are going to be very pleased that this is going to be a reunion of those who began ODM and still exist,” ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga said.
ODM was born out of the 2005 constitutional referendum, when the “No”
campaign—symbolised by the orange—triumphed over proposed constitutional changes
with 58.12 per cent of the vote.
The name orange came from the ballot symbol, while the “Yes” side was represented by a banana.
Unlike 10-year celebrations, the next month fete will see the Orange party engaging in a number of back-to-back activities during the three-day period.
Among the activities lined up include a four-team knock-out football tournament featuring rivals Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Shaban and Bandari FC and a youth summit bringing together all young people across the country.
The party will also hold a women as well as people with disabilities summits to highlight the challenges of the groups as well as inter-religious prayers day meant to unite Kenyans in thanksgiving and reflection.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The planned events have already
triggered political chatter, with allies describing them as a fresh test of
ODM’s strength, with others arguing Raila is using the milestone to reenergise
his troops for another political battlefront.
