The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Friday, July 19, at Bukiri Primary School in Funyula, Busia County. The event comes at a crucial political juncture as ODM leader Raila Odinga prepares to outline his next moves following his unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
The anniversary is expected to be more than a mere celebration, serving as a strategic consultative forum for ODM’s leadership and supporters. Raila, who has been engaging in a series of meetings since the AUC election in Addis Ababa, will address party members and the public, shedding light on his political future and possible realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is a consultative mission to talk to our people after what happened in Addis Ababa,” Raila stated, hinting at crucial discussions regarding the party’s direction.
In the run-up to the anniversary, Raila held a meeting in Migori on Thursday, where he was accompanied by the ODM Youth League and political activist Kasmuel McOure. The meeting underscored ODM’s commitment to engaging its youthful base as it strategizes for the future.
Sources indicate that ODM’s central management committee has already thrown its weight behind Raila to retain his position as party leader. This endorsement solidifies his influence within the party, despite earlier speculations about a possible transition following his AUC bid.
For the past year, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has been acting as the ODM leader while Raila pursued continental leadership ambitions. However, with the AUC race behind him, Raila is now refocusing on national politics, and Friday’s event is expected to set the tone for ODM’s trajectory in the coming years.
The celebrations in Busia will bring together key ODM figures, grassroots leaders, and supporters, reaffirming the party’s legacy and resilience over the past two decades. As Kenya gears up for the 2027 general elections, all eyes will be on Raila’s address, which is likely to influence the country’s political landscape significantly.
