The Orange Democratic Movement interim party leader Oburu Odinga/FILE
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has unveiled a detailed programme for its 20th anniversary celebrations, a three-day event set to run from November 14 to 16 in Mombasa County.
Interim party leader Oburu Odinga said the milestone will honour two decades of political struggle, sacrifice, and service to the Kenyan people.
He described the anniversary as a moment to reflect on the party’s journey and to celebrate the legacy of ODM’s departed leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, whose vision and courage shaped what he termed the modern democratic movement in Kenya.
In his statement, Oburu said the commemoration will recognise Raila’s lifelong dedication to expanding democratic space and building a party grounded in unity and people-centred values.
“As we commemorate this landmark, we do so in honour of the indelible legacy of our departed Party Leader the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga the father of modern democracy in Kenya vision, courage and sacrifice built this movement. Whose vision, courage and sacrifice built this movement,” he said.
Oburu noted that the celebrations will be preceded by a special sitting of the National Governing Council on Thursday, November 13.
He said members will use the session to reflect on the party’s growth, consolidate its organisational strength and reaffirm its direction for the coming years.
The anniversary programme begins on Friday, November 14, with an ODM Disability League Breakfast between 7am and 9am, followed by two parallel summits for the party’s women and youth wings running from 10am to 1pm.
A youth concert will close the day’s activities, stretching from 6pm to midnight.
On Saturday, November 15, the focus shifts to Mama Ngina Waterfront for a celebration themed around Raila Odinga’s vision, achievements, and broad political legacy.
The event, scheduled between 7:30am and 2pm, will include a recommitment by members to safeguard the democratic gains won through two decades of ODM’s political engagement.
Later that evening, the party will host an ODM Founders’ Dinner at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort.
An inter-religious thanksgiving service has also been organised in honour of Raila Odinga’s life, leadership, and the broader journey of the party.
Oburu invited all members, supporters, and partners to join the commemoration, describing it as both solemn and celebratory.
He said the anniversary offers the party a chance to recommit itself to its founding principles and to chart a clear path into the future. He added that securing ODM’s legacy requires unity and collective responsibility.
The announcement follows an earlier rescheduling of the celebrations, which were initially planned for October 10 to 12.
ODM said the shift to November was meant to allow more counties and supporters to participate, adding that the change was consistent with the party’s values of inclusivity, democracy, and wider outreach.
The Mombasa finale is expected to draw high-profile political leaders, among them governors, senators, MPs, and party stalwarts, as well as a strong grassroots presence.
The gathering will mark twenty years of ODM’s existence, a period in which the party has played a major role in Kenya’s political and democratic evolution.
