By Joshua Otieno | March 9, 2026
Anyang’ Nyong’o has called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to return to its founding ideals amid ongoing internal wrangles within the party.
In a detailed statement shared on his social media platforms, Nyong’o reflected on the origins and mission of ODM, noting that the party was founded out of a historical necessity during the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum to challenge excessive presidential power and push for constitutional reforms.
“I write not merely as a commentator on history, but as one who stood at the birth of this movement — the Orange Democratic Movement — as its pioneer Emeritus Secretary General,” Nyong’o said.
The Kisumu Governor paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing him as a nationalist who believed Kenya should be united through justice rather than ethnic power-sharing.
“He was not simply a politician; he was a nationalist in the truest sense — a man who believed Kenya must be united not by the arithmetic of tribes, but by the architecture of justice,” Nyong’o wrote.
Return to the Party’s Ideals
Nyong’o said ODM was formed to champion constitutionalism, social justice, democratic governance, and the rule of law, emphasizing that these principles should remain the party’s guiding foundation.
According to him, the movement emerged as a political expression of a national awakening, symbolized by the Orange campaign that rejected what many Kenyans viewed as a flawed constitutional proposal.
“The Orange symbol became a historic refusal — a refusal to constitutional deception, a refusal to postpone justice to another generation,” he stated.
Warning Against Ethnic Politics
Nyong’o cautioned that Kenyan politics has long been shaped by ethnic mobilization, warning that reducing leadership to ethnic arithmetic undermines the ideals upon which ODM was built.
“ODM was formed on the conviction that while ethnicity is an objective reality, it must not become a political destiny,” he wrote.
He argued that nationalism in Kenya should mean building institutions stronger than individuals and ensuring that the state serves all citizens equally.
Reflecting on Constitutional Reforms
The governor also highlighted the significance of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, noting that it helped disperse power away from the presidency by strengthening Parliament, empowering the Judiciary, and introducing devolution.
However, he cautioned that democratization is a continuous process that requires vigilance and commitment from every generation.
“Democratisation is never an event; it is a process. It is patient cultivation, not a quick harvest,” Nyong’o said.
A Call for Renewal
As ODM marks 20 years since its formation, Nyong’o urged party members to reflect honestly on whether they have fulfilled the movement’s founding objectives, including dismantling excessive executive power, fighting corruption, and strengthening devolution.
He also welcomed generational competition within the party, saying debates among leaders should strengthen the movement rather than weaken it.
“Young leaders questioning old assumptions is renewal, not rebellion,” he wrote.
Nyong’o concluded by urging ODM leaders to remain committed to transparency, constitutionalism, and democratic governance, warning that abandoning these values would undermine the party’s historic mission.
“ODM is not a monument to 2005; it is a movement for tomorrow,” he said.
