‘Mwezi wa Baba’: ODM unveils month-long programme to honour Raila Odinga

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party will dedicate the entire month of October to commemorating its founder, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, one year after his death.

The party on Thursday dubbed the month ‘Mwezi wa Baba’, with a series of activities planned across the country to honour Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s democracy and Pan-Africanism.

In announcing the programme, ODM described Raila’s death as a painful moment for the party and his supporters, saying the former premier had made a lasting contribution to the country.

“It was a tearful moment; we were all heartbroken. God plucked the best flower from our midst. The ODM party has dedicated the entire month of October to his memory,” stated the political outfit in a public statement.

According to the programme, the activities will kick off on October 2 with a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony, with supporters expected to light candles individually or in groups at 6pm.

ODM will then hold a major memorial rally in Kakamega Town on October 9, bringing together supporters from Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.

From October 10 to 15, the party will leave the memorial activities to the family, culminating in the main memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo.

The commemorations will then move to northern Kenya, with a memorial rally planned for Garissa Town on October 17. The event will bring together ODM members and supporters from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit counties.

The party will hold further memorial activities in the coastal region on October 18 and 19, before joining the country in marking Mashujaa Day on October 20.

ODM has also scheduled memorial activities in Kajiado County on October 21, followed by activities in Turkana County between October 23 and 25.

The month-long programme will culminate in a major ‘Mwezi wa Baba’ memorial rally in Nairobi County on October 31.

ODM has urged its supporters to use the commemorations to rededicate themselves to what it described as “Baba’s ideals.”

The former Prime Minister died on October 15, 2025 while receiving medical treatment in India, bringing to an end a decades-long political career that saw him serve as Kenya’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013.