ODM gears up for a landmark 20‑year celebration in Mombasa

Deputy Party Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, has issued a nationwide call for unity as the party prepares to mark two(2) decades of influence from November 14  to November 16, 2025, in Mombasa.

Addressing a meeting of the ODM Kisauni branch, chaired by Mr Mohamed Mwandugu, Mr Nassir described Kisauni as “the very place where the political journey of ODM began--and where the trust and support of our people propelled our late leader, Raila Odinga to the heights he achieved.”

“In honour and beloved memory of our late Leader, I call on every ODM supporter across the country to stand firmly with the party as we celebrate 80 years of Baba’s life and 20 years of impact on Kenya’s politics for our party,” he said.

“This is the time for every ODM member and supporter in Kisauni—and everywhere—to rally together, deepen our unity, and fortify the party that has always stood for justice, equality, and the transformation of our nation.”

The gathering in Kisauni brought together high‑profile county leaders, including MP Mr Rashid Bedzimba and ODM MCAs Mr Amriya Boy (Mjambere), Mr Patrick Mbelle (Bamburi), Ms Milka Areba, Ms Maimuna Salim, Mr Athman Mwamwiri (Likoni) and Mr Manuari Juma (Bofu).

Officials from the ODM County Coordinating Committee, led by Mr Mohamed Khamis, also attended.

The ODM@20 celebrations will span multiple activities, culminating in the Mombasa event.

Originally scheduled for October 10 to October 12, 2025, the party officially postponed the main Mombasa gathering.

The rescheduling followed a consultative meeting with Raila Odinga and was designed to allow broader participation from counties that had not yet held their own events.

The revised programme included a national youth‑oriented football tournament from October 9 to October 10, 2025, alongside regional celebrations: Kajiado on October 15, Turkana on October 26, Magarini (Kilifi) on November 2, and a Nairobi gathering on November 9, 2025.

The party’s Secretary‑General, Mr Edwin Sifuna, noted in a September statement that the event will include youth summits, a women’s convention, a cultural showcase, and a gathering of Persons With Disabilities (PWD) to reflect ODM’s inclusivity.

Governor Nassir asserted that “for two decades, ODM has provided political direction and shaped the destiny of millions of Kenyans through our commitment to justice, democracy, and good governance.”

He emphasized that the party is not just marking its past, but setting a vision for its future: “Ours is not just a party; it’s a legacy of influence, integrity, and impact.”

The choice of Mombasa as the venue underscores the party’s coastal roots and its appeal across regions.

For party strategists, the anniversary is a moment to consolidate support ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.