Former President Uhuru Kenyatta sent a powerful message to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members during the founders’ dinner in Mombasa on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

In a message read out by the ODM Secretary-General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Uhuru said he could not attend due to prior arrangements. In his message, Uhuru disclosed that he had planned to engage the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to attend the Orange Democratic Movement’s 20th anniversary celebrations; however, this did not happen, as he passed away while undergoing treatment in India.

“To the ODM family, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, let me begin by thanking the leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement for inviting me this evening as you mark your 20th anniversary. I had hoped to join you, but due to an engagement booked earlier, I could not make it,” Uhuru’s message read in part.

“In fact, that was an issue we were to discuss with my brother when he got back; unfortunately, that did not happen. Even then, I celebrate with you, my brothers and sisters,” he added.

Struggle before ODM was founded

In his message, Uhuru recalled the struggle that eventually gave birth to ODM, indicating that the movement was conceived not out of political convenience but out of conviction.

The leaders were brought together with one single push for the new constitution.

“I vividly remember the numerous meetings and engagements that gave birth to the Orange Democratic Movement. Indeed it was a movement born not out of political convenience but out of conviction. A broad coalition of then political leaders who rallied the No campaign against the then 2005 Kenyan constitution. Tulikuwa tunaitwa Pentagon.

“It was a movement whose ideals began shaping Kenya’s democratic journey. I journey that began 20 years ago when we joined hands with my late brother, Raila Amolo Odinga when he was the Liberal Democratic Party leader. I was the leader of the opposition in KANU,” Uhuru recounted.

“His excellency William Ruto, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, Najib Balala, and the late Joseph Nyagah, when we came together to form this movement, we did so not out of ambition but out of conviction that Kenya deserves better, that our people deserve justice and equal opportunity,” he added.

Lessons on leadership

Nearing the 2007 elections, Uhuru noted that Raila had managed to craft a niche for ODM based on democracy, constitutional reform, justice and good governance.

“It was built on the belief that leadership is not about power but about service, that progress is not about individuals but about people working together for the common good. So you see we believed that Kenya’s strength lies in her diversity and that no single citizen should ever feel excluded from the promise of our nation because of where they come from, where they believe in, their religion or who they are.”

Reminds members of its principles

Uhuru divulged further and shared the co-principles that defined ODM under the leadership of the late Raila Odinga. The then opposition party prioritised democracy, where the party fought for free and fair elections, better institutions, and a culture of leadership guided by integrity and service.

“Allow me to share the principles that we stood for at the time. Number one was democracy—we believed that sovereignty belonged to the people. We envisioned a Kenya where leadership is accountable, where power is not imposed but entrusted, and where government exists to serve and not to rule. I remember the conviction that drove us that democracy should not be taken for granted in this country,” Uhuru reminded the ODM members.

Moreover, he reaffirmed that ODM stood for social justice and equity, a Kenya where every person, regardless of their background, had a fair shot at success.

Human rights and economic justice were also among the principles that defined ODM.

“Three, human rights- in the face of persecution, intimidation, and imprisonment, as the leaders then led by brother Raila Amolo Odinga, we stood tall in defending the human rights and freedoms of all Kenyans. Our unity under ODM taught us that the fight for freedom is not just about political space but the right of every person- the right to worship freely, assemble, and to live without fear.

“Four, economic justice: ODM was and continues to be an unwavering movement in its pursuit of economic justice, the idea that growth must be inclusive and prosperity shared.”

Keep Raila’s vision alive

In his concluding remarks, Uhuru asked ODM members to make Raila’s vision alive, where no child goes hungry, where justice is not for the privileged few and where every Kenyan has an equal opportunity to thrive.

“Wananchama wa ODM, today as you celebrate this milestone, my heart is emotionally heavy as I remember my brother and friend and compatriot Raila Amolo Odinga… Raila was no just the leader of ODM, but the spirit of its struggle…

“Let us keep alive his fight for democracy, accountability and inclusion. Let us make real his vision of a Kenya where no child goes hungry, where justice is not for the privileged few and where every Kenyan has an equal opportunity to thrive.”