The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is gearing up for a historic milestone as it prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary this October with a series of colourful events in Mombasa and across the country.

ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor, Abdulswamad Nassir, who chaired the planning committee in Mombasa, said the celebrations would honour two decades of resilience, sacrifice, and unyielding commitment to democracy and the people of Kenya.

The anniversary festivities will include build-up events in Wajir and Migori counties, with major activities slated for October 11 and 12 in Mombasa.

Among the highlights are a women’s convention on October 10 at the Jomo Kenyatta A.S.K Showground in Nyali, a swimming gala, and a football tournament featuring Kenya Premier League giants Shabana FC, AFC Leopards, Bandari FC, and Gor Mahia.

On the eve of the anniversary, a mega concert will rock Tononoka Grounds, setting the stage for the main celebration at Mama Ngina Waterfront on October 11, where founding members and departed heroes of the party will be honoured. An interdenominational prayer service will crown the events on October 12.

“These celebrations are going to be celebrations not just on the life of a political party but on the life that Kenya believes in. It is going to be an array of activities that will be going on at the same time,” he stated.

Junet Mohammed, Suna East MP and ODM Director of Elections and Campaigns, affirmed that the 20th celebration is important to the party because “It reminds us where we came from, where we are and where we want to go”.

He termed the celebrations a rebirth of the party in readiness for the 2027 General Election, saying that the party is keen to prepare itself as it assesses its achievements and plans for the future.

“We want to prepare ourselves for the coming election as a party because as you’re aware, we are the second largest party in Parliament. We have the highest number of Members of Parliament and we want to make sure that our party becomes bigger than it is today,” he stated.

He further noted that the 20-year-old party has participated in the democratisation of Kenya, and made an immense contribution to the country’s development and also encountered electoral injustices.

“It has a history and something to celebrate, unlike other parties that have nothing to celebrate. We want to celebrate because of the journey we have travelled in this country,” Mohammed said, urging Kenyans to join the celebrations.

ODM Chairperson, Gladys Wanga, urged the party members to prepare for the celebrations. She said an event for Persons with Disability would also be held and that the event would also bring together the founding members of the party.

“We are pleased that this is going to be a big reunion of those who began ODM and who still exist,” she stated.

“We will also use it to remember those who have been in this struggle but have left us in the leadership, but also those who have fought our battles alongside us. The young people who have come out on the streets many times that we have come out to fight injustices. We will also be using this occasion to relive their memory and remember them,” Governor Wanga said.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said they would be on a celebration galore, and thanked the Governor for accepting to host the celebrations.