The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will on Friday, October 2, 2026, commence a month-long tribute to its founder, Raila Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80. The tribute, dubbed "Mwezi wa Baba," will take Raila's memory across the country through candle-lighting ceremonies and memorial events. The opening ceremony will be held at 6 pm, with ODM calling on Kenyans to light candles in honor of the former Prime Minister.
In Nairobi, the main gathering will be held at Uhuru Park, with residents expected to arrive at the venue from 3 pm. ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga invited Nairobi residents and all Kenyans to come together at Uhuru Park to light a candle in honor of Raila, remember his life, and celebrate the values and ideals he stood for. The party has also designated Treasury Square in Mombasa as the main venue for the Coast region.
The candle-lighting ceremony is just the first activity in a packed October program that will take the party and its supporters to different parts of the country. The program was unveiled earlier this month after the party's Central Committee met on September 9. Other regions, including Kisumu Central Square, Governor's Grounds in Kakamega, and Kajiado County headquarters, will also host candle-lighting ceremonies.
Raila Odinga's political career spanned several decades, during which he became one of Kenya's most prominent opposition figures. He was a long-time campaigner for constitutional reform, multiparty democracy, devolution, and wider participation in the country's political affairs. He played a major role in the constitutional reform process that eventually produced the 2010 Constitution.
The October program will give Kenyans a chance to reflect on the values Raila represented and the causes he pursued, while encouraging supporters to remain committed to what the party describes as his ideals. ODM has said the program will focus on the political values and causes that were central to Raila's career, including his push for political pluralism and his service as a Cabinet minister and Prime Minister.
The first anniversary of Raila's death is taking place as ODM works to establish its political path without its leader, who had shaped much of its identity and activities. The party is currently led by Raila's elder brother, Dr. Oburu Oginga, while its membership and leadership have differing views on cooperation with President William Ruto's government.
Raila's widow, Ida Odinga, has separately formed a national steering committee to organize family activities during the anniversary period. The party and family programs will form separate but related parts of the commemoration, with the family-led activities ending in Bondo, where Raila was buried beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Key points
- ODM launches 'Mwezi wa Baba' to honor Raila Odinga with candle-lighting ceremonies and memorial events across Kenya.
- The tribute aims to reflect on Raila's political career, values, and causes he pursued.
- The anniversary takes place as ODM navigates its future without Raila Odinga, who shaped the party's identity and activities.
