The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) marked its 20th anniversary which ends on Sunday, with a political spectacle unmatched in scale, cost and logistical coordination in what planners estimate is a Sh200 million extravaganza in Mombasa.
The party, founded by Raila Odinga in 2005, had its 20th birthday morph into a political festival of grandeur, backed by a hefty budget and meticulous planning that saw Mombasa’s event spaces, transport networks, and hospitality sector stretched to their limits.
ODM supporters display placards during the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025. Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
From having a dedicated SGR train, block-booking hotels, erecting giant billboards across the country and producing custom party regalia, to directly funding thousands of delegates through mobile money, the ODM@20 commemoration turned the Coastal city into the beating heart of Kenyan politics this weekend.
ODM supporters during the ODM@20 anniversary at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025. Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
What appears on stage — colour, speeches, banners, choreographed entry of delegates, and performances — is only the visible part of a machine that planners say cost
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