ODM leader Raila Odinga has acknowledged the contributions of President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the party’s founding members during the joint Kenya Kwanza–ODM Parliamentary Group meeting at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen, on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Raila reminded lawmakers that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was born from Kenya’s constitution-making process and that its founding members continue to shape national politics.

“One of the founding members of ODM is sitting here with you,” Raila said, referring to President Ruto. He also acknowledged former President Uhuru Kenyatta as a key founder of the party.

The opposition leader announced that ODM will celebrate its 20th anniversary in October, inviting all founding members to the milestone event.

“We are going to have 20 years of ODM in October. And all the founding members are going to be invited,” Raila stated.

Emphasising roles in governance

During the session, Raila emphasised the importance of clearly defined roles within Kenya’s governance system.

“We said that we want to give clear responsibilities–the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. The legislature is supposed to make laws that the executive uses to run the country. And the judiciary ensures that in implementation of these laws, the executive does not overreach or violate the constitution. But then, the work of parliament is representation,” he explained.

Raila’s remarks echo reflections shared recently by former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who also identified himself as one of ODM’s founding members. Muturi recounted the party’s early years, highlighting political alliances and setbacks that shaped its formation. He noted that while he supported Mwai Kibaki, Ruto allied with Raila Odinga during the same period.

Formed during Kenya’s constitutional reforms in the early to mid 2000s, ODM has grown into one of the country’s major political forces.