Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has revealed that the much-anticipated Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) 20th anniversary celebration that had been planned for Mombasa from October 10 - 12, was cancelled following a call summoning him to Nairobi.
ODM party leader Raila Odinga delivering his speech during ODM Parliamentary Group Meeting at Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi on September 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
The governor said the call came late on Wednesday evening, catching him off guard as preparations for the coastal celebrations were already complete.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir addresses head teachers during the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association Conference in Mombasa on November 4, 2024.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
According to Mr Nassir, the party leader explained that several counties were yet to mark the ODM 20th anniversary and that proceeding with the Mombasa celebrations as planned would overshadow the events in other regions.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir speaks to the media in Mombasa on June 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
However, Mr Nassir announced that despite the cancellation of the event, the county has lined up several curtain-raising activities, including a football tournament on October 9 and 10, featuring four teams, including Shabana, Gor Mahia and Bandari, and the ODM football team. How Uhuru-Gachagua silent war puts Opposition unity on the line
He further reiterated the party’s commitment to electoral reforms through the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report, arguing that reforms would ensure Kenyans freely elect leaders of their choice and not products of “computers”. [email protected]
