Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to safeguard the values associated with the late Raila Odinga as the party marks its 20th anniversary in Mombasa.
His public message comes at a time when ODM is reflecting on its future leadership direction following the loss of its long-time figurehead.
In a statement posted on X, Matiangi congratulated the party for reaching the two-decade milestone, noting its influence in shaping Kenya’s political space.
He said his remarks were made on behalf of colleagues in the Jubilee Party and were guided by a belief in strong political institutions.
Matiangi credited ODM with helping entrench multiparty democracy since its formation in 2005, a period that saw the party contest several national elections and build a broad grassroots network.
“ODM has contributed to strengthening political culture in Kenya and provided an important oversight role,” he said, attributing the remarks directly to his X statement.
He acknowledged that this year’s celebration carries added weight given the recent death of Raila Odinga, who served as ODM’s founding leader, Kenya’s second Prime Minister and a central figure in opposition politics.
Raila’s influence within the party’s structures, from national leadership to county branches, remains significant as ODM transitions to a new era.
Matiangi encouraged the current leadership to draw lessons from other African political movements that faced similar transitions after the loss of iconic leaders.
He cited South Africa’s African National Congress after Nelson Mandela and Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi following Julius Nyerere as examples of parties that maintained ideological direction despite leadership changes.
According to the former CS, such experiences show the importance of consistency and adherence to a party’s core principles, especially during periods of change.
He said ODM has an opportunity to reaffirm its identity as it enters its third decade.
The anniversary events in Mombasa are expected to highlight the party’s historical role in policy debates, electoral reforms, and legislative oversight.
ODM has been one of the key actors in Kenya’s post-2002 political realignments, influencing coalition building and national governance discussions.