Thousands of women supporters from across the country gathered at the Mombasa ASK showgrounds to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and honour the legacy of the late party leader Raila Amolo Odinga.
The event brought together women members from all the 47 counties showcasing the party’s nationwide reach and the significant role women have played in building the political movement over two decades.
Speaking at the event, ODM Women League President Beth Syengo emphasized that the gathering was not just a commemoration of political resilience but also a celebration of Raila Odinga’s legacy rooted in justice, democracy and inclusivity.
“We gather not just to commemorate two decades of political resilience and people-driven leadership, but also to celebrate Baba’s legacy. A legacy rooted in justice, democracy and inclusivity,” said Syengo.
She noted that Raila Odinga championed women’s inclusion not as an act of charity, but as a matter of justice, equity and national development.
While acknowledging progress in increasing women’s voices in county assemblies and Parliament, Syengo pointed out that Kenya still falls short of the two-thirds gender rule in many elected positions.
The Women League President revealed that the organization has been working to connect leaders with young female leaders ready to rise, learn and lead, with 5,000 grassroots women in attendance at the event.
Syengo noted that the late Raila Odinga supported giving direct tickets to strong women who had proven themselves through research and testing, rather than subjecting them to party primaries. This strategy, she explained, increased the number of elected women in various positions.
“Baba has been supporting women. Not women from high families and big names but grassroots women. That is why today, we have 5,000 grassroots women seated in this tent,” she noted.
Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga, who also serves as the ODM national chairperson, testified to the party’s long-standing support for women leaders, recalling how Raila Odinga backed her political aspirations when others doubted her capabilities.
“Our party for 20 years has been built by women, from Mombasa to Turkana to Nyatike to Marsabit. I am a testimony. When Baba was told this woman cannot run, he said women should be given a chance, that the party should give women full support,” Wanga said.
The governor addressed concerns about the party’s future following the passing on of party leader Raila Odinga asserting that the party remains united.
She referenced Odinga’s campaign message that while he might not reach the destination, together the party would reach the Promised Land.
Wanga also highlighted challenges women faced during party nominations, including discriminatory questions about educational qualifications and political connections that are not asked during campaign periods.
“There is this issue where women campaign for the party vigorously, but when the time for nomination comes, they ask for your education level, who do you know, where are you from. We are not going to allow that. If they do not ask for your education level when you campaign for the party, then they should not ask such questions during nominations,” she stated.
ODM Deputy Party Leader Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir emphasized the need to support women seeking political positions through the ODM ticket.
“If a woman wants to vie via an ODM ticket, then we must consider them because this party is built and carried by women. If we do not consider our women, who will support them?” Nassir posed.
Governor Nassir addressed the party’s position regarding the broad-based government, stating that ODM would remain in the arrangement until 2027, after which the party would either form government or be part of government.
“We will work and talk with people who think like us, those with similar principles to ours. However, those who divide others on the basis of religion and tribe, we will not work with such people,” he said.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati, also an ODM deputy party leader, called for unity within the party, reminding leaders that the party belongs to 15 million people.
“As a party, come 2027, we must build a government with people who think like us, who hate corruption. For now, we work with the broad-based government, but in 2027, we will decide,” Arati said.
He assured party members that the issue of women being extorted for nomination slots would be addressed, acknowledging the sacrifices made to build the party to its current position.
The event, however, revealed ideological differences within the party leadership, with some leaders pledging support for the broad-based government while others emphasized the need for ODM to field a presidential candidate in 2027.
By Sitati Reagan and Hassan Bahati
