Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to safeguard the legacy of the late Raila Odinga, telling party members that Kenya’s democratic future depends on their ability to defend the values that defined Raila’s turbulent but transformative political life.
His message, delivered by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna during the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa, carried the weight of history and grief, landing at a moment when ODM is still searching for direction after Raila’s death.
Uhuru described Raila as the engine of Kenya’s long struggle for justice, inclusion and political reform — a figure whose personal sacrifices shaped national debates, opened democratic space and inspired millions to believe in a fairer country. “Wanachama wa ODM, today, as we celebrate this milestone, my heart is emotionally heavy as I remember my brother and friend and compatriot, Raila Odinga. May his soul rest in peace,” Uhuru said, his words drawing silence from the room.
He called Raila more than a party leader — “the spirit of his struggle” — a man whose courage and resilience defined not just ODM’s identity but Kenya’s political evolution. “His courage, resilience and selflessness shaped not just the justice movement, but the very cause of Kenya’s political evolution,” Uhuru said, urging the party to stay anchored in the ideals that fueled Raila’s decades-long push for a more equitable nation.
Uhuru challenged ODM to carry forward Raila’s mission for democracy, accountability and inclusion, warning that abandoning these principles would betray the movement’s founding purpose. He urged the party to champion a Kenya where justice is not reserved for the privileged and where no child goes hungry. “Let us keep alive his fight for democracy, accountability and inclusion,” he said. “Let us make real his vision of a Kenya where every Kenyan, young or old, has an equal opportunity to thrive.”
The message comes at a delicate moment for ODM. Raila’s death left a vacuum in a party built around his personality, his history of resistance and his unmatched ability to mobilize supporters around national causes. ODM has spent recent months negotiating succession politics, internal tensions and questions about its future direction in a post-Raila era.
The party’s three-day anniversary celebration in Mombasa brought together founding members — including President William Ruto — and offered a reflective moment for Raila’s family, led by Raila Junior and EALA MP Winnie Odinga, to honor the man who became synonymous with Kenya’s pro-democracy struggle.
Uhuru closed his message with a call for renewal, urging ODM to rebuild with purpose. “May the next phase of ODM be a testament of renewal, growth and steadfast commitment to building a Kenya that truly belongs to all her citizens,” he said.
