NAIROBI, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced plans to rebuild and strengthen its grassroots support base as the party positions itself for political negotiations and possible alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election.
ODM Communication Director Philip Etale said the party’s bargaining position in any future political arrangement would depend largely on the strength of its grassroots support.
Speaking in an interview with a local radio station on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Etale said ODM must maintain and expand its support base if it is to secure a favourable position during coalition negotiations.
“You know, you cannot go to sit at the table when you have two people and the other person has 50 people. We have to have numbers that will enable us to get what we want as a party, and that’s what we are working on,” Etale said.
ODM plans nationwide mobilisation
Etale said ODM was preparing a series of activities across the country as part of efforts to reconnect with grassroots supporters and revitalise its party structures.
The party plans to use October to intensify nationwide mobilisation, with officials expected to tour different parts of the country and engage supporters.
The month has been designated “Raila Month” in honour of the late former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025.
“We have a number of activities. By next month, we are going to have a packed month. You know, we call it Raila Month because that’s the month that our Baba rested,” Etale said.
ODM to mark one year since Raila’s death
Etale said ODM would dedicate the entire month of October to activities commemorating Raila as the party marks one year since his death.
The events are expected to combine remembrance of Raila with political mobilisation as ODM seeks to sustain his political legacy while strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 election.
“It’s one year down the line. We have dedicated the entire month. You will see a number of activities across the country, massive activities party-based,” he said.
According to Etale, party leaders will travel to different parts of the country to interact with supporters and commemorate Raila during rallies and other activities planned in various regions.
Ahmed Abdullahi to unveil programme
The ODM programme will be formally unveiled by the party’s organising secretary, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Etale said.
Details of the activities are expected to be announced as the party finalises its October programme.
“He’s going to make it clear what we are going to do in October, which we have dubbed Raila Month. So a lot of activities are going to be done,” Etale said.
The mobilisation programme is expected to give ODM an opportunity to reconnect with its grassroots network and assess the strength of its party structures ahead of the 2027 political contest.
ODM eyes stronger bargaining position
Beyond commemorating Raila, Etale said the nationwide activities would form part of a wider effort to consolidate ODM’s political base before the party enters major electoral negotiations.
He said the party was placing emphasis on numbers because the size of a political party’s support base can influence its bargaining position when alliances and coalitions are being negotiated.
Etale said ODM would use the mobilisation period to revitalise its structures and increase the party’s presence across the country.
“We are going to revitalise our party. We are going to re-energise our party, and we are going to make it more vibrant during this month, going forward,” Etale said.
