MOMBASA, Kenya — President William Ruto has praised the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as one of Kenya’s most resilient and truly national political parties, saying other parties have much to learn from its organisational strength and ability to rise above ethnic and regional politics.
Speaking Saturday evening during the ODM Founders Dinner at the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa County, President Ruto lauded ODM for sustaining a vibrant national presence for two decades, crediting the party’s longevity to its ideological grounding and avoidance of personality-driven politics.
“I have come here to celebrate ODM as a strong party — not a briefcase party, not a regional party, but a national party,” the President said.
He noted that strong political parties form the backbone of any democracy and commended ODM for proving that Kenya can build institutions rooted in ideology rather than tribal bloc mobilisation.
President Ruto paid glowing tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing him as a statesman who consistently put the country above personal ambition.
“Raila Odinga was not a tribalist. He believed in Kenya. He always extended his wings to cover as many people as possible,” he said.
The President added that Mr Odinga’s willingness to work with leaders he once competed against — including Presidents Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and himself — demonstrated his political maturity and commitment to national unity.
Ruto also reminded guests of his own history in ODM as a founding member and former deputy party leader, saying his political roots remain tied to the movement.
President Ruto urged ODM leaders to protect the legacy of a united national party, cautioning against internal feuds that could lead to disintegration.
He called for political tolerance across the country, stressing that political competition should never be equated to enmity.
“I urge the people who now have the reins of the management of this party not to undermine the spirit of ODM,” he said.
Ruto also highlighted significant overlap between the manifestos of ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), estimating their similarity at 80 percent, and encouraged continued collaboration under the broad-based government arrangement.
Key ODM leaders used the event to reiterate the party’s commitment to working with the government, insisting that their collaboration serves the national interest.
Senator Oburu Oginga emphasised that ODM’s goal, like all political parties globally, is to participate in government rather than remain in perpetual opposition.
“Our party is fighting to be in government in the broad-based arrangement now and in future,” he said.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed echoed the sentiment, saying ODM would stay in government to influence policy while safeguarding accountability in Parliament.
Former ODM chairman Henry Kosgey praised the party’s 20-year journey, urging members to prioritise national unity. Governors Gladys Wanga and Anyang’ Nyong’o underscored the importance of partnerships and coalition-building, which have defined ODM’s resilience through formations like CORD (2013), NASA (2017) and Azimio la Umoja (2022).
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, one of ODM’s longest-serving chairmen, reminded members that Raila Odinga valued dialogue over confrontation, urging those advocating protests to reconsider.
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho also highlighted Mr Odinga’s legacy of partnership across political divides.
The otherwise celebratory evening was briefly disrupted when several leaders — including the ODM Secretary-General — were initially barred from entering the venue. The situation caused tension before they were later allowed in.
As ODM marked 20 years since its formation during the 2005 constitutional referendum, speakers reflected on its origins in the fight against injustice, poor governance and the push for a people-centred political order.
Though marred by brief chaos at the entrance, the anniversary underscored ODM’s continued relevance in Kenya’s political landscape — and, as President Ruto noted, its role as a model for national political organisation.
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