ODM to begin month-long commemorations of Raila Odinga in Kenya — Nation Kenya
In Kenya, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party will on Friday begin a month-long program commemorating its founder, former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. The first event will be the simultaneous lighting of candles across the country at 18:00. The party called on Kenyans to join the initiative at designated locations or privately, Nation Kenya reports.
In Nairobi, the main event will be held at Uhuru Park and will begin at 15:00. Other designated commemoration sites are Treasury Square in Mombasa, Kisumu's central square, Governor’s Grounds in Kakamega, and the Kajiado County headquarters.
Month of remembrance
ODM has called the program “Mwezi wa Baba” — “the month of Baba.” According to the party's plan, events dedicated to Odinga’s political journey, his contribution to Kenya’s life, and the values that ODM associates with his long political career will take place throughout October.
Raila Odinga died in India on 15 October 2025 at the age of 80. He was one of the key figures in the struggle for political pluralism in Kenya, advocating constitutional reform, multiparty democracy, devolution, and broader political participation. Odinga served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013 following the disputed 2007 presidential election and a power-sharing agreement.
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Schedule of events
On 9 October, ODM plans to hold a major memorial rally in Kakamega with supporters from Western Kenya. Events organized by the politician’s family will run from 10 to 15 October and conclude with the main memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, on the first anniversary of his death.
After that, the ODM program will cover Garissa on 17 October, the coastal region on 18–19 October, Kajiado on 21 October, and Turkana on 23–25 October. The month-long commemorations will conclude with a major memorial rally in Nairobi on 31 October.
After Odinga’s death, the party was led by his elder brother, Oburu Odinga. Some ODM leaders support cooperation with President William Ruto, while another group is critical of the government and is associated with the Linda Mwananchi political movement.
