Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho and ODM members dance during ODM@20 celebrations in Mombasa, November 14, 2025. /JOHN CHESOLIThe party is marking the milestone at the Mama Ngina Waterfront from Friday to Sunday to commemorate what it describes as two decades of political service and struggle.
The anniversary will also highlight the legacy of ODM’s late leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, whose vision shaped what interim party leader Oburu Odinga has termed the modern democratic movement in Kenya.
Ruto is among the confirmed guests, and he is expected to attend the event on Saturday, including the Founders’ Dinner at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort.
Speaking to Citizen TV on Friday, Joho emphasised that Ruto’s attendance reflects his historical role in the party.
“A fact is a fact. The truth is that President William Ruto is a founding member of ODM. That cannot be changed, regardless of subsequent events,” Joho said.
Joho, who joined the broad-based government following a working agreement between Ruto and Raila after the 2024 Gen Z-led anti-government protests, traced the party’s origins to key political figures, including Ruto, former Cabinet ministers Henry Kosgey, Frankline Bett, and Najib Balala.
“They were there at the founding, so Ruto’s presence at the celebrations is not a problem,” Joho said.
ODM emerged from a turbulent period in Kenya’s political history, marked by debates over the 2005 constitutional referendum and internal party realignments.
Raila, then a leading opposition figure, spearheaded the “No” campaign against the draft constitution, which was supported by politicians dissatisfied with the government’s proposals.
The success of the “No” vote helped consolidate a political movement that later coalesced into the Orange Democratic Movement in 2007.
The party positioned itself as a platform for political change, democratic governance, and national inclusivity, attracting a broad base of supporters and reshaping Kenya’s multiparty landscape.
The Ruto-Raila working arrangement ended years of political rivalry that dated back to the grand coalition government following the disputed 2007 elections.
Joho noted that other founding members of ODM have also been invited to the anniversary celebrations. He said the event should be seen as a commemoration of the party’s history rather than a political statement.
“So I see no problem if someone joins the celebration of something they helped found. The party has lasted 20 years; it is still alive and strong,” Joho said.
Speculation had emerged about internal party divisions following Raila’s death, with some voices questioning the party’s stance in government and its approach to the 2027 elections.
Critics argue for an independent presidential candidate, while others have expressed support for continued participation in government, as affirmed through a 10-point agreement signed on March 7.
