Disputes over the path the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should take dominated the opening of the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa on Friday.
Declarations by Siaya Governor James Orengo, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and founding party leader Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie, set the tone.
During the ODM Youth Convention at Swahili Pot, Mr Orengo said the party is drifting to a dangerous comfort zone, adding that conversations about accommodation in the broad-based government threaten the mission of the Orange outfit.
ODM Youth League patron and Siaya Governor James Orengo addresses youths at the Party's Youth League Convention on November 14, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
“We hear people talk of broad-based arrangements. ODM will not remain silent. Some have relaxed and are preaching accommodation. They forget that the leading opposition party in the Senate and National Assembly is ODM,” Mr Orengo said.
The governor added that President William Ruto needs ODM more than ODM needs him, dismissing suggestions that the party shelves presidential ambitions in 2027.
According to Mr Orengo, liberation movements collapse when their youth lose ideological grounding.
“At just 30, I filed a motion of impeachment against President Daniel Moi. If young people sleep, Kenya will go down,” he said.
“ODM was built in resistance. For 20 years, people have bled, sweated and shed tears. We will never apologise for being inconvenient,” she said.
Winnie Odinga alleges plot to 'sell' ODM
“There are those walking with us in the day but engaging in pillow talk about the party at night. ODM cannot be swallowed,” she said.
“Don’t be told that no one in ODM is fit to run for president. We will not beg what is ours,” the Nairobi senator said.
Among the most vocal advocates for engagement with the government was Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, a former ODM deputy party leader.
Mr Joho said President Ruto’s participation in the anniversary fete should not alarm party supporters and leaders.
“The truth is that President Ruto is an ODM founding member,” the former Mombasa governor said.
He traced ODM’s origins to the 2005 constitutional referendum when Dr Ruto, Mr Henry Kosgey, Mr Frankline Bett and Mr Najib Balala stood with Odinga on the “No” side whose symbol was an orange.
President William Ruto shares a light moment with Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga when he visited Siaya County on January 14, 2023.
Photo credit: Tonny Omondi | Nation Media Group
Mr Joho said acknowledging party’s founders does not weaken ODM’s position even as it works with the government.
“The President’s presence at the celebrations is not a problem,” he said ahead of Dr Ruto’s attendance of the Party Founders’ dinner today.
Party leader Oburu Oginga told ODM members on Thursday that they would not lose their identity. The Siaya senator said ODM would not be swallowed by any entity, adding that the party must have enough muscle to negotiate from a position of strength in future alliances.
“Nobody will want to talk to you if you are weak,” he said.
“We cannot be cowards and allow the party to dissolve. We must strengthen our party in order to become relevant in 2027.”
ODM leader Oburu Oginga (centre), Chairperson Gladys Wanga (left) and Deputy Party leader Abdulswamad Nassir (right) campaign for their party candidate in the November 27 Magarini by-election Harrison Kombe, on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
He spoke just moments after being confirmed the party leader by the ODM National Governing Council (NGC). The senator urged ODM members to intensify grassroots mobilisation.
“We need strong membership. Registration in ODM is free,” Dr Oginga said.
His comments followed speculation that ODM’s cooperation with the government could evolve into an absorption similar to what happened to Amani National Congress.
Concerns grew when Dr Oginga said President Ruto would be at the ODM Founders’ Dinner at Whitesands Beach Resort.
He said former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had also been invited.
The NGC confirmed Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga as ODM chairperson, while Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, and Kisii Governor Simba Arati were endorsed as deputy leaders.
