President William Ruto on Friday evening attended the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations and Founders’ Dinner in Mombasa, marking a significant moment in Kenya’s shifting political landscape. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is celebrating its 20-year milestone with a three-day event at the Mama Ngina Waterfront, running from Friday to Sunday, to commemorate what it calls two decades of political struggle, reform and public service.
Ruto’s presence at the celebrations underscored the new spirit of unity under Kenya’s broad-based government. He was accompanied by several senior leaders from his administration, signalling the importance he places on ODM’s historic anniversary and the party’s legacy, especially that of its longtime leader, Raila Amolo Odinga.
The event also highlighted how history continues to shape today’s alliances. On March 7, 2025, Ruto and Raila signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for cooperation. While the pact stops short of a political merger, both leaders describe it as an effort to foster inclusive governance, strengthen national unity, and combat corruption.
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, speaking to Citizen TV, defended Ruto’s attendance by referring to his early role in the party. “A fact is a fact. President William Ruto is a founding member of ODM. That cannot be changed,” Joho said. He traced the party’s beginnings to prominent figures such as Ruto, former ministers Henry Kosgey, Frankline Bett, and Najib Balala.
Ruto has maintained that his cooperation with ODM is temporary but necessary for stabilising the country. He has insisted that the MoU is not a power-sharing arrangement ahead of the 2027 election but a commitment to solving Kenya’s socio-economic challenges.
Raila has echoed this sentiment, recently stating that he does not regret the agreement. He termed the partnership an “emergency measure” taken at a time when the nation faced deep political and economic strains.
As ODM marks 20 years since emerging from the political turmoil surrounding the 2005 constitutional referendum, the celebrations in Mombasa serve as a reminder of Kenya’s evolving political alliances—and the enduring search for national cohesion.
