The Orange Democratic Movement did not just emerge as another political party. It was born out of struggle, sacrifice, and the indomitable will of the people to resist dictatorship and claim their democratic space.
From its inception in the 2005 constitutional referendum, where the orange became a fiery emblem of defiance, ODM has carried the weight of Kenya’s yearning for justice. For two decades, it has stood as the heartbeat of Kenya’s democracy – challenging authoritarianism, giving voice to the voiceless and paying the price for daring to dream of a freer nation.
ODM’s story is not written in boardrooms or campaign rallies alone. It is written in the blood, tears and sacrifices of its supporters. From the fiery days of the 2005 referendum through the harrowing post-election violence of 2007–2008, to the cost-of-living maandamano of 2023 and last year’s Gen Z anti-tax protests, ODM’s faithful have borne the brutal hand of state repression. Their courage transformed ODM from a political vehicle into a living symbol of hope, dignity and defiance.
At the centre of this resistance has been Raila Odinga, the man whose personal journey embodies Kenya’s democratic struggle. Seven years of detention, torture and solitary confinement never broke his spirit. Instead, they forged a leader who became more than a politician – he became a symbol of resilience and hope. For ODM supporters, Raila is not simply a leader; he is the custodian of their collective pain and the carrier of their aspirations.
One thread runs through the former premier’s story and that of ODM: an unshakable commitment to victims of political violence. Raila has said it again and again – “Compensation is not charity, it is justice.” This creed has defined ODM’s political mission. From the calls for justice after 2007–08, to the renewed cries during the 2017 election protests, to the fiery maandamano of 2023, ODM never abandoned the victims.
That struggle has finally borne fruit. In
August, President William Ruto announced a national framework for victim
compensation, backdated to 2017. This breakthrough did not fall from the sky.
It is a direct result of ODM’s unrelenting pressure. It is the culmination of
years of sacrifice and persistence by ODM and its supporters. For once, the cries
of the wounded, the widows and the orphans have been heard. Justice is no
longer a slogan – it is becoming a reality.
This victory must be seen for what it is: a triumph of people’s power. It is ODM’s ability to push from the streets, from Parliament and now from within government that forced recognition of the pain inflicted on its people. It is a historic acknowledgement that the majority of victims of political violence have been ODM supporters, punished not for crimes, but for daring to demand justice.
Yet ODM’s journey is not just about the past. As the party celebrates 20 years, its vision now stretches into the future. From the veterans who carried the orange in 2005 to the youth who braved bullets and teargas in the Gen Z protests, the party’s struggle has evolved, but its essence remains unchanged: standing on the side of justice, no matter the cost.
The compensation victory is not an end. It is a new beginning. It affirms that ODM is more than a party. It is a movement of conscience that dares to wrestle with power, not for privilege, but for the people. Freedom is never given – it is fought for, and it is won.
As ODM marks two decades, we must remember: the price of freedom has been heavy, borne disproportionately by those who dared to resist. But through their sacrifice, Kenya has edged closer to justice. And through ODM’s persistence, their pain is finally being recognised.
The orange revolution continues. The flame still burns. And the struggle for justice remains the soul of ODM.
The writer is a Strategic adviser and expert in leadership and governance
