Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has explained why he did not speak during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) 20th anniversary commemoration in Mombasa on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

The governor spoke during an interdenominational prayer service held as part of the ODM@20 programme.

Mungaro said that he, along with other governors, agreed beforehand to limit speaking roles to ensure smooth proceedings.

“Nimeskia viongozi wakitoa cheche jana governor hakuongea. Jana umati ulikuwa mkubwa na tukakubaliana hivi; jana ilikuwa ni lazima kila eneo la mkoa wa Kenya wa Kenya uwakilishwe. Na Pwani tulikuwa tunawakilishwa na naibu wa Kinara Abdulswamad, Joho pia akapata fursa,” he said.

“Wajumbe wetu wote wa Kilifi wakaongea. Lakini magavana, unajua tuko na mwenyekiti wetu anaitwa Ahmed Abdullahi, governor wa Wajir. Na tulikuwa naye usiku akasema jameni tukitaka kupunguza wakati, tukubaliane mimi mwenyekiti niongee, na regions iwakilishwe na magovernor.”

He added that he avoided speaking personally to prevent appearing to favour any particular leader.

“Unajua ningeanza kupiga kumbo lazima niongee wangeona pengine sipendi Abdulswamad, kwamba si kiongozi wangu, kwa hivo tukakubaliana Abdulswamad atuwakilishe, kwa hivo watu wa Kilifi msiwe na shaka.”

ODM@20 marks party legacy

The ODM@20 celebrations ran from Thursday, November 13, 2025, to Sunday, November 16, 2025. The three-day event honoured the late Raila Odinga and reflected on ODM’s two decades of political service.

It began with a special National Governing Council (NGC) sitting and included meetings for women and youth, a main celebration at Mama Ngina Waterfront, and a Founders’ Dinner at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort.

On Sunday, the anniversary concluded with the interreligious thanksgiving service where party leaders, members, and supporters gathered to celebrate Odinga’s legacy. The event also emphasised unity within ODM as the party prepares for the November 27 by-elections.

Mung’aro’s clarification reassures constituents that Kilifi’s representation at the commemoration was carefully coordinated and aligned with broader party decisions, maintaining unity during the high-profile anniversary events.