The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) marked its 20th anniversary which ends on Sunday, with a political spectacle unmatched in scale, cost and logistical coordination in what planners estimate is a Sh200 million extravaganza in Mombasa.
The party, founded by Raila Odinga in 2005, had its 20th birthday morph into a political festival of grandeur, backed by a hefty budget and meticulous planning that saw Mombasa’s event spaces, transport networks, and hospitality sector stretched to their limits.
ODM supporters display placards during the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
From having a dedicated SGR train, block-booking hotels, erecting giant billboards across the country and producing custom party regalia, to directly funding thousands of delegates through mobile money, the ODM@20 commemoration turned the Coastal city into the beating heart of Kenyan politics this weekend.
ODM supporters during the ODM@20 anniversary at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
What appears on stage — colour, speeches, banners, choreographed entry of delegates, and performances — is only the visible part of a machine that planners say cost the party an estimated Sh200 million to assemble, an operation described as the most meticulously organised in the party’s two-decade history.
A senior ODM official directly involved in the planning told Sunday Nation that the celebrations were the outcome of “months of layered work and logistical preparation.”
“On average, the entire process is estimated to cost about Sh200 million,” the official, who spoke in confidence, said. “From the very beginning — publicity including billboards across the country, posters, merchandise for marketing, awards, food, transport, accommodation — everything that has gone into making the event a success is around that figure.”
The official added that while part of the budget came from party coffers, “friends of the party” also stepped in.
“I may not give all the details because we also received support from friends, who I would not like to reveal,” the official said.
A significant cost item was logistics. The party had initially budgeted Sh60 million, but later revised it downwards to slightly above Sh50 million after the number of funded delegates was trimmed.
“Still, at least nobody is stranded,” the official insisted. “The thing is perfectly planned. Everything is seamless.”
The Sh200 million, Sunday Nation understands, does not include ODM supporters sponsored to Mombasa by various leaders, especially those clamouring for ODM seats and the faction leaning towards the broad-based government.
The ODM National Organising Committee, chaired by National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed, was tasked with the planning — from delegate mobilisation to logistics, accommodation and budgeting.
ODM Deputy Party Leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said that although the event appeared smooth from the outside, there was “a small crisis” on Friday.
ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga, Deputy Party leaders, Simba Arati and Godfrey Osotsi during the ODM@20 anniversary at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
“It was simply a delay to disburse funds to a section of delegates because of a slight administrative issue, which was addressed,” Mr Osotsi said. “Some people had arrived in Mombasa without money, and they had to be reimbursed immediately.”
According to him, payments were done via M-Pesa, wired directly to each delegate.
“The money was sent directly to their numbers — not through someone. It was from the bank to those individuals electronically. Some lists were not ready, hence the delay,” he noted.
ODM supporters during the ODM@20 anniversary at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
He added that the ability of the party to send funds directly to thousands of people “without a major hitch” showed how much ODM had evolved.
“ODM has grown to a level where you can say we have learnt how to handle financial issues smoothly,” Mr Osotsi said. “Usually this is a sensitive area, and yet ODM has not had a crisis.”
According to the last Financial Year that ended on June 30, 2025, President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM were poised to pocket the lion's share of at least Sh1.2 billion allocated to political parties.
The two dominant parties qualified to take home over Sh856 million of the money due to parties eligible to get cash from the Political Parties Fund in the financial year ending June 30, 2025.
According to a gazette notice by the registrar, UDA qualified for Sh558.49 million and ODM Sh298.3 million.
ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen, who spoke shortly after landing in Mombasa from Nairobi on Friday evening, admitted that the exact number of delegates attending had not been finalised.
“As yet we cannot tell how many delegates will attend because people are still registering. The main event is tomorrow (Saturday). I’ve just landed and a number of delegates have also just arrived,” he said.
Before the official kick-off, 26,000 people had registered on the party portal, according to Mr Ong’wen, but he said registration does not always translate to turnout.
From left: ODM Deputy Part leaders, Simba Arati, Godfrey Osotsi, Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi during the ODM@20 anniversary at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Mr Ong’wen said ODM funded about 3,000 delegates, spread across the 290 constituencies. “They were given money, and what they do with it is their own business.”
Asked how much each delegate received, he declined to give specifics. “Let’s not get into those details. Delegates from Kwale and Mandera would not get the same figure because of the distance.”
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki (left) and businessman Suleiman Shahbal at the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Interviews with regional officials, however, provided snapshots.
In Siaya and parts of the North Rift, delegates received about Sh23, 000, covering transport, food and accommodation.
In Nairobi, where delegates travel shorter distances, each attendee received about Sh15, 000, according to the county ODM chairperson George Aladwa.
“The party was tasked with the facilitation, and the delegates have received their funds,” Mr Aladwa said. “We have at least 14 delegates per constituency in Nairobi. They were supposed to be 20, but the number was trimmed.”
He added that distance was a key factor. “Delegates from Northern Kenya received higher figures compared to those closer to Mombasa.”
The Makadara MP also revealed that ODM had received support from its new political allies under the broad-based government arrangement.
“Those attacking President Ruto only want him not to attend, but as a founder member, he is part of us.”
The influx of ODM delegates — alongside regular travellers headed to the Coast — triggered a rare spike in demand for inter-city transport.
Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo share a light moment with Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi during the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Kenya Railways was forced to introduce an additional Madaraka Express Passenger Service trip on Saturday to accommodate the rush.
“We will be running an additional Madaraka Express Passenger Service trip tomorrow (Saturday) to accommodate the increase in passenger demand during this period,” Kenya Railways said in a statement on Friday.
Even with the extra train, hundreds who could not secure seats were forced to travel by road. Nearly all flights to Mombasa were fully booked from Thursday, with some delegates connecting via Malindi or Ukunda before taking road transport to the city.
The hospitality industry is reaping big. Hotels in Mombasa’s CBD, Nyali, Bamburi and Diani have recorded near-full occupancy since Wednesday, with an influx of delegates, party officials, journalists, entertainers and local businesspeople.
“Traders and investors in the hospitality sector are all smiles,” said a Coast-based industry representative. “Such political events bring money directly to the ground — in transport, food, accommodation and entertainment.”
