President William Ruto, one of the founding members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), is expected to attend the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa this week.
Ruto, who was part of the famous ODM Pentagon, is expected to join the ODM family from Friday November 14 to Sunday 16, for the party’s first national gathering since the demise of its founding leader, Raila Odinga.
The celebrations are to be held in honour of Raila, who was expected to lead the party in marking the huge milestone before his untimely demise on Wednesday, October 15.
Ruto’s attendance was initially confirmed by acting ODM party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, with ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen adding that the decision to invite Ruto was tied to Raila’s wish to have the founding members of ODM at the event.
Other founding members who have been invited include former Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, with the attendance of Musalia Mudavadi and Charity Ngilu, yet to be confirmed.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Assistant Minister Julia Ojiambo were also invited to the event.
Ruto’s attendance at the event is set to have a significant impact, with the broad-based partnership with ODM and the 2027 General Election expected to be huge talking points in the event.
For Ruto, his attendance is expected to test his support among Raila’s base, with rumours rife that he is trying to gain control of ODM post-Raila. This, together with reports of cracks emerging within ODM, has made the discourse around the party intensify.
In the programme released by ODM, the event is set to be preceded by a special sitting of the National Governing Council (NGC) on Thursday, November 13.
On Friday, the party will host an ODM Disability League Breakfast from 7am to 9am, followed by side-by-side summits of ODM Women and ODM Youth from 10am to 1pm. A youth concert will close out day one, running from 6pm to 12 midnight.
On Saturday, a celebration in honour of Raila will take place from 7:30am to 2pm at Mama Ngina Waterfront. The celebration will mark Raila’s achievements, vision and legacy. This will then be followed by an ODM Founders’ dinner at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort from 6:30pm.
The final day will see ODM host an inter-religious thanksgiving service in gratitude for the life, leadership and legacy of Raila and the journey of ODM.
