NAIROBI, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has begun a nationwide mobilisation urging supporters to book their Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) tickets early ahead of the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations set for November 14–16 in Mombasa.
The milestone event will celebrate ODM’s two-decade journey and pay tribute to its founder, Raila Odinga, with a series of rallies, cultural showcases, and community engagements across the coastal city.
To ensure a unified show of solidarity, the party has called on supporters to travel together on the morning SGR train on November 13.
“Let’s SGR together! Book your SGR ticket now so we can travel together to celebrate Baba in Mombasa,” read a notice from Philip Etale, ODM’s Communications Director.
The party has advised members to make early reservations, citing limited availability and a first-come, first-served ticket policy.
Supporters have also been directed to coordinate logistics through ODM’s official communication channels to ensure smooth travel arrangements.
Acting Party Leader Oburu Odinga described the anniversary as both a reflective and celebratory moment for ODM and its supporters.
“As we commemorate this landmark, we do so in honour of the indelible legacy of our departed Party Leader, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, the father of modern democracy in Kenya, whose vision, courage, and sacrifice built this movement,” Oburu said.
He added that the festivities will be preceded by a National Governing Council meeting on November 13, where members will assess the party’s growth, consolidate its organisational strength, and chart its future direction.
The official programme begins on Friday, November 14, with an ODM Disability League Breakfast from 7 am to 9 am, followed by parallel summits for the women and youth wings running from 10 am to 1 pm. The day will conclude with a youth concert from 6 pm to midnight.
On Saturday, November 15, attention will shift to Mama Ngina Waterfront, where members will gather for a celebration themed around Raila Odinga’s vision, achievements, and legacy.
The session, running from 7:30 am to 2 pm, will feature a recommitment by party members to uphold the democratic ideals that ODM has championed for two decades.
Later that evening, the party will host an ODM Founders’ Dinner at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort, followed by an inter-religious thanksgiving service in honour of Raila Odinga’s life and leadership.
Oburu urged members, supporters, and partners to join the commemoration, describing it as a unifying occasion for reflection and renewal.
The celebration was initially slated for October 10–12 but was rescheduled to November to allow broader participation from counties and grassroots supporters, in line with the party’s values of inclusivity and democracy.
The Mombasa gathering is expected to attract a high-profile guest list, including governors, senators, MPs, and veteran party stalwarts, alongside thousands of supporters from across the country.
