The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) marked two decades of political activism in Mombasa on Saturday, with thousands of party supporters attending the anniversary event.
EALA MP Winnie Odinga, daughter of late party leader Raila Odinga, used the occasion to reflect on the party’s contribution to Kenya’s democratic development.
Speaking to the crowd, Winnie described ODM as a movement shaped by public protest and civic resistance.
“ODM was born from protest, raised in resistance, and it still belongs to the people,” she said, emphasising the central role ordinary Kenyans have played in sustaining the party over the last 20 years.
Winnie highlighted the sacrifices made by party members throughout ODM’s history, noting their involvement in political campaigns, civic demonstrations, and advocacy for governance reforms.
She told supporters that the party has “bled, sweat, and shed tears” in the pursuit of democratic change, a statement that drew applause from attendees.
Addressing critics, Winnie acknowledged that ODM has faced challenges and missteps but insisted that the party’s commitment to advocacy and holding authorities accountable remains unwavering.
“We are sorry that we don’t always get it right, but we will never be sorry for being inconvenient,” she said, referencing past criticisms that the party’s actions sometimes disrupt public order.
The anniversary event also included participation from local and national party leaders, along with delegates from various ODM branches along the coast.
The celebrations also provided a platform to revisit ODM’s achievements and outline priorities for the next phase of its political journey.