Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will have a grand bash in October when the party will celebrate 20 years since its formation.
The three-day celebration, which will be hosted from October 10 to 12 in Mombasa, will be for all Kenyans and not necessarily members of ODM, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has announced.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, Sifuna said that the anniversary is a day to reflect, celebrate, and re-dedicate to the ideals that founded the party.
“This is not just a matter of ODM turning 20 years old. It is a matter of enjoying the ride the wars we fought, the wins, the losses, and where we are today as a movement,” the statement partially states.
The event will not be entirely speeches and politics. The organizers have put in place a range of activities that will see Kenyans from all walks of life coming together.
Headlining the events calendar is a four-team football tournament featuring football bigwigs Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Bandari FC, and Shabana FC that are sure to draw a massive crowd of football fans. A youth concert to feature up-and-coming talent, youth and women’s summits will also be included.
These forums are meant to give space to the excluded voices more so the youth and the women, who are continuing to make a huge contribution to the party and society,” said one official who is part of the preparations.
Prior to the main event in Mombasa, the party confirms that it will hold functions in other counties to extend the celebrations to the grassroots. Migori and Wajir counties have been chosen to host some of the key regional functions.
ODM reports this is part of its drive at holding on to the initial spirit of the party a mass movement.
“By marking 20 years, we are renewing our commitment to justice, democracy, and staying connected to the ordinary Kenyan,” the statement further read.
ODM was born after the 2005 constitutional referendum, a watershed in Kenya’s political history. The voters were then given an orange (for “No”) and banana (for “Yes”) choice in the referendum on whether or not to adopt the draft constitution.
The orange brigade that had in its ranks Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta, and even a then-emerging William Ruto triumphed, defeating the then regime of President Mwai Kibaki.
A campaign truck that began became a real political party as ODM came to be one of Kenya’s largest actors in the politics of the country in the last 20 years.
And since the party is now about to mark its 20th anniversary, the attention is as much on where it’s headed as it has been.
“We also invite all of them supporters, friends, even detractors to join us in this moment. It’s about Kenya’s politics journey as well, not ODM alone,” Sifuna said.