ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
ODM party leader Raila Odinga has moved to ring-fence his traditional political bastions from possible encroachment by his broad-based partner, President William Ruto.
Mr Odinga has aggressively come out to revamp his outfit while publicly warning his allies against endorsing President Ruto for a re-election.
Riddled with infighting and emergence of camps, the former prime minister has been jolted into reasserting his political authority amid fears that his rapprochement with President Ruto could weaken his 20-year old ODM going into 2027 General Election.
Mr Odinga has awakened the party with a series of political activities designed to rejuvenate its grassroots structures and ring-fence its traditional bastions.
The activities are a build-up to the outfit’s 20th anniversary to be celebrated next month in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. The party has since held major rallies in Kisii, Wajir and Narok counties. It has also conducted grassroots elections from polling station to county level ahead of its planned National Delegates Convention (NDC) scheduled for March, 2026.
ODM leader Raila Odinga (center) with some of the party's MPs during a Parliamentary Group meeting in Nairobi on September 22, 2025.
With growing political murmurs that ODM is set to enter a coalition agreement with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in backing President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, Mr Odinga is keen to prevent any encroachment to its traditional backyards.
The party is pulling all the stops to ensure it retains its significant influence in Nyanza, Western and Coast. Insiders believe that it is only by retaining its traditional bastions that Mr Odinga would have substantive stake in the next government.
“We have not passed any resolution as a party to say how we are going to go into the elections of 2027. So wherever you are, don’t commit the party to things that have not been discussed,” said Mr Odinga.
“Let those things be discussed first. We are ODM, who told you that ODM will not have a candidate in 2027? First, think as ODM, we have a clear plan that we have negotiated and agreed on; other decisions will be taken when the time comes,” he added.
The assertions were made during a parliamentary group meeting of the party’s members of the National Assembly last week in Nairobi.
The remarks came in the backdrop of ringing public endorsements of Dr Ruto’s re-election by a section of ODM stalwarts, including its former top officials co-opted in the Cabinet.
Dr Ruto won the 2022 race largely with the support of the Rift Valley and Mt Kenya regions. Mt Kenya, which handed him nearly three million votes, is seen to be drifting away following the impeachment of Mr Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President. This leaves the President politically vulnerable, informing his urgency to get a new voting bloc.
The President has cast his net wide by targeting ODM’s support base as he seeks to exploit the newfound camaraderie with his longtime political archrival-turned friend, Mr Odinga.
But keen not to be left with an empty hand in future political realignments, Mr Odinga has hit the ground running visiting Wajir and Kisii in the last week where the rallying call was the party will work on clinching power in 2027, either alone or in coalition with like-minded parties.
“We will ensure ODM forms the next government or they will be part of the government. ODM will never be called an opposition party again…,” said National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.
Long fight for social justice
“As ODM, our leader is Raila Odinga. He is the one we follow and if he says left, we go left,” added party chairperson Gladys Wanga.
On Sunday, Mr Odinga’s allies pitched camp in Narok county to drum up support for the party. The team was led by party chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. She was accompanied by Mr Mohammed, co-deputy party leader Godfey Osotsi (Vihiga Senator), Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina among other top party officials.
“The Maa Community have always been the bedrock of the ODM Party, and over the years, they have embodied the ideals and principles of our Party,” said Ms Wanga.
President William Ruto with ODM party leader Raila Odinga at the funeral of Mama Phoebe Asiyo at Wikondiek in Homa Bay County on August 8, 2025.
She said the party is still determined to capture power whether as a single entity or in a coalition. She cited the party’s long fight for social justice, devolution and respect for human rights as some of the ideals that have made it attractive for the last 20 years.
“We have been consistent about what we stand for. Our leader has been consistent and resilient. He has been a unifying factor; that is why we have ODM members across the country,” said Ms Wanga.
The party has planned a three-day jamboree between October 10 and 12, 2025 to be held in Mombasa and Kilifi counties to celebrate and reflect on its 20 years’ journey.
Dubbed ODM@20, the celebrations mark the party’s resilience, sacrifice, and unyielding commitment to democracy, justice, and the people of Kenyans.
“As the Party that has stood at the forefront of defending constitutionalism and people’s rights, we take pride in inviting our members, supporters, and all Kenyans to our 20th anniversary celebrations,” said Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
“This milestone is not only a commemoration of ODM’s journey but also a reflection on the struggles, victories, and lessons that continue to shape our vision for a just, united, and prosperous Kenya.”
Activities lined up for the celebration include a youth summit bringing together young leaders and visionaries to chart the future.
There will also be a women convention to celebrate the role of women in the party’s democratic struggles and envisioning a more inclusive society.
A vibrant youth concert aimed at showcasing talent, creativity, and the spirit of ODM will also be featured as part of the jamboree. There will also be a people with disability breakfast focusing on inclusion and empowerment.
The activities will also see a Roll of Honour for fallen heroes of the movement, special remembrance of martyrs of the struggle and a four-day free medical camp for the community as well as an inter-religious Prayers Day uniting Kenyans in thanksgiving and reflection.
The crowning moment will be a four-team football tournament featuring Kenya’s most successful club Gor Mahia and their arch rivals AFC Leopards together with Mombasa-based Bandari FC and Shabana FC from Kisii.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm ODM’s enduring pledge to the people of Kenya: to continue being the beacon of hope, the custodian of democracy, and the unrelenting defender of justice,” said Senator Sifuna.
As part of the two-decade celebrations, the party in July this year launched its Young Captains chapter— a wing within the ODM Women League, comprising young women from institutions of higher learning.
The occasion is part of the party’s charm offensive for the hearts and souls of the younger generation (Gen Z) ahead of the 2027 elections.
