Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, alongside Ruth Odinga, during ODM at 20 celebrations in Mombasa/JOHN CHESOLI
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed has hailed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as the only political party in Kenya to successfully sustain its identity, structures, and national relevance for two decades.
He says the milestone underscores the party’s unmatched resilience and ideological consistency in the country’s turbulent political environment.
Speaking on Saturday in Mombasa during the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Junet said the occasion was not just a commemoration of longevity but a powerful reminder of ODM’s place as a cornerstone of Kenya’s democratic journey.
“These celebrations are very big,” he told the gathering filled with party leaders, supporters and members of the Odinga family.
“There’s no other party that has celebrated 20 years. It is only ODM. So my plea is that we give ODM the respect it deserves — and its founder, Baba. We must celebrate him and the party he built.”
Junet, a key Raila Odinga ally who has long positioned himself as one of the party’s most outspoken defenders, said the presence of Raila’s children — Raila Junior, Winnie Odinga, Ruth Odinga and Oburu Oginga (his brother)— served as a symbolic reminder of the lineage, leadership and legacy that the ODM leader has sustained for decades.
According to him, the party’s ability to outlive political waves and remain a formidable force is evidence of Raila’s unique imprint on Kenya’s political landscape.
“We have come here to celebrate our party for 20 years and to celebrate the life of Baba Raila Odinga,” he said, firmly linking the party’s survival to the influence and vision of its long-time leader.
Junet revealed that the event was initially planned for October 10–13, 2025, but had to be postponed after Raila travelled and could not be present.
He said the organising team agreed that it would be inappropriate to hold such a symbolic celebration without the man whose leadership had defined the party’s character and endurance.
“We had to postpone to November 14 so that we can celebrate his life and our party together,” he explained.
The MP said the anniversary should serve as a reminder to both supporters and critics that ODM has not only shaped national discourse for two decades but also cultivated a strong national footprint, produced influential leaders and championed some of the country’s most significant democratic reforms.
According to Junet, ODM’s ability to hold national conventions, maintain an active grassroots structure and reinvent itself ahead of every election cycle places it ahead of other political formations that emerge around individual ambitions and fade after one electoral season.
As he concluded his remarks, Junet expressed gratitude to the organisers of the event, saying their effort reflected the passion that continues to propel ODM forward.
He urged members to recommit themselves to strengthening the party, noting that reaching the 20-year mark was not a small feat but a historic achievement that cements ODM’s place as one of the most enduring political movements on the African continent.
