ODM Unveils Nationwide ‘Mwezi Wa Baba’ Campaign as Raila’s First Anniversary Nears

By Evans Mutinda & Monyonge o’kebati

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has fired an early political warning shot ahead of the 2027 General Election, declaring October a month-long nationwide mobilisation campaign in honour of its late founder, Raila Odinga.
Dubbed “Mwezi wa Baba”, the high-voltage programme will see ODM supporters stage rallies, memorial events and candle-lighting ceremonies across the country as the party seeks to keep Mr Odinga’s political legacy alive and demonstrate that his movement remains firmly rooted nationwide.

Kisumu Woman Representative and ODM Secretary for Political Affairs Rosa Buyu said the party had deliberately dedicated the entire month of October to celebrating Mr Odinga while mobilising supporters around the ideals for which he stood.
“October marks one year since the demise of the Right Honourable Raila Odinga, the founder of the Orange Democratic Movement Party. It was a tearful moment. We were all heartbroken,” Ms Buyu said.
She said the commemoration would also serve as a moment for ODM supporters to renew their commitment to Mr Odinga’s ideals and democratic struggle.

The political mobilisation will kick off on October 2 with a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony at 6pm.
“Kenyans will be requested to light candles wherever they are, either in organised groups or individually, in remembrance of Baba,” Ms Buyu said.

The party will then descend on Kakamega on October 9 2026, for a major memorial rally bringing together supporters from Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.

From October 10th to 15th 2026, the party will undertake family-led memorial activities before the main memorial service in Bondo.
ODM will take its mobilisation campaign to northern Kenya on October 17,2026 with a major memorial rally in Garissa bringing together supporters from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Marsabit.

The political caravan will then move to the Coast region on October 18 and 19,2026, followed by Mashujaa Day activities on October 20.
On October 21,2026, ODM will hold memorial activities in Kajiado before taking the campaign to Turkana from October 23 to 26.
The month-long programme will culminate in a major Nairobi memorial rally on October 31,2026

But behind the commemorative programme lies a bigger political message: ODM wants to demonstrate that Mr Odinga’s death did not extinguish the movement he built and that the party still commands a national political network as the country heads towards the 2027 contest.
An ODM official said the events would prove wrong those who believed Mr Odinga had left no political machinery behind.

“Those who thought that Baba left nothing behind can now see that Baba left a legacy across the country,” the official said, citing ODM activities in Eastern, Central, Nairobi and other regions.
Ms Buyu urged ODM supporters to turn the anniversary into a renewal of their political commitment.
“We ask all our supporters to rededicate their commitment to Baba’s ideals,” she said.

The announcement effectively turns October into an ODM political month, with the party preparing to flood different regions with memorial rallies and mobilisation activities.
The event ended with supporters chanting Tuko tayari!” and “Tunataka power!”