The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Sunday took its month-long "Mwezi wa Baba" commemoration of the late Raila Odinga to northern Kenya. Senior party figures flew into Garissa for a memorial rally at Maji Maji Grounds.

Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana were pictured arriving in the town ahead of the event, People Daily reported. Kibwana announced the party's readiness for the gathering in a post on X on Sunday, October 18.

The rally brings together ODM members and supporters from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit counties. The party's programme, released in September, had set the northern Kenya leg for Saturday, October 17. People Daily reported it was taking place on Sunday, and ODM did not publicly explain the change.

A month dedicated to Raila

ODM dedicated the whole of October to its founder, who died on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India. "It was a tearful moment; we were all heartbroken. God plucked the best flower from our midst. The ODM party has dedicated the entire month of October to his memory," the party said when it unveiled the programme, Citizen Digital reported.

The commemorations opened on October 2 with a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony, with the main Nairobi gathering at Uhuru Park. A large memorial rally followed in Kakamega on October 9 for supporters from Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia. Between October 10 and 15 the party stepped aside for family-led events, which ended with the first anniversary memorial at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County.

After Garissa, the schedule moves to the Coast, then to Kajiado on October 21 and Turkana from October 23 to 25. It ends with a major memorial rally in Nairobi on October 31.

Old ground for Raila

North Eastern Kenya was a region where Raila drew significant support during his decades in opposition politics. The Garissa event gives ODM's post-Raila leadership a chance to reconnect with grassroots supporters there.

People Daily noted that the party's challenge as the programme heads to Nairobi is to preserve Raila's legacy while holding the party together and setting its direction for the 2027 General Election.

Memorial or campaign?

The commemorations have not been free of politics. The Nation has reported that, beyond honouring Raila, ODM intends to use the month to fire up its base and showcase the broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto's government, which Raila entered in 2024, and to mobilise support for the President's re-election.

Raila's family has also differed with the party over how the anniversary should be marked. In a statement on October 17, Mama Ida Odinga warned politicians that Raila's resting place "must never become a battleground for political rivalries," and apologised to guests who were heckled at the Bondo memorial.

Rival camps are also competing to claim Raila's mantle. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi Movement, which includes leaders who have fallen out with the ODM leadership, has held parallel events, and several figures have printed campaign merchandise bearing Raila's image, the Nation reported.

ODM leader Oburu Oginga has been largely absent from public events while recovering from illness. The party has said he is recovering well.

Further details of the speeches and turnout at the Garissa rally were not immediately available.

Photos: CS Hassan Joho, Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris and Senator Hamida Kibwana arriving in Garissa (@SenHamidaK/X via People Daily); a supporter holds a Raila Odinga portrait and a candle at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on October 2 (Nation).