Friday twenty eighth February, 2025 05:28 PM|
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chief Raila Odinga has left his supporters, who had been eagerly awaiting a decisive announcement on his political future following his setback within the 15 February 2025 AUC chairmanship race, disillusioned as he revealed he was not but able to make a transfer.
Speaking through the celebration’s twentieth anniversary celebration in Busia on Friday, February 28, 2025, Raila acknowledged the excessive stage of anticipation surrounding his subsequent steps however confused that taking extra time for consultations could be in his greatest curiosity.
In his deal with, Raila mirrored on the outstanding achievements each the celebration and himself, personally, had made through the years and defined that he wanted extra time to deliberate, maintain the federal government in examine, and determine which route to channel his vitality.
“Hello. Watu wengi wanasema Baba endelee kushauriana na watu kwanza. Sindio ee, ndio nipate maoni. Na nataka kuhakikisha na ninyi tutakuwa mrengo ambao utalenga matakwa na haki za Wakenya wote. Hiyo ndio tutafanya. Hakuna nyokonyoko,” he said amid jubilation from the gang.
Longstanding chief
Raila, who was greeted with jubilation and fanfare through the occasion, additional downplayed the importance of his AUC loss, asserting that it wasn’t a significant setback for him, as he all the time had a house to return to.
He famous that his journey as a frontrunner had been lengthy and difficult, expressing gratitude to his supporters for his or her unwavering loyalty. He emphasised that he would always remember the sacrifices, together with the bloodshed, endured by himself and celebration members to make sure the celebration’s relevance.
Raila, who has lately discovered frequent floor along with his long-time political rival, President William Ruto, praised ODM for its pivotal position in securing a structure that favoured the folks of Kenya.
“East or West, home is best. Sasa Baba amerudi. Shukran sana. Sasa leo tunasherehekea miaka ishirini ya chama chetu cha ODM,” he mentioned, earlier than reflecting on the struggles they confronted previously.
He added, “Miaka ishirini iliyopita tuliingia katika halimbaya katika taifa letu, tulikuwa kule Bomas of Kenya kwa ajili ya mambo ya Katiba.”
Raila additionally recounted the unconventional origins of ODM, explaining that after rejecting the brand new structure that had been launched roughly 20 years in the past, they had been taken to a spot the place that they had to decide on between the banana (sure) or orange (no) image. This was the second the celebration was actually born.
“Majamaa walikataa ile Katiba nzuri ya Bomas. Walikataa hiyo Katiba. Wakaua ule kijana alikuwa anasimamia mambo ya ugatuzi. Baadaye wakabadilisha hiyo Katiba wakleta ile Katiba mbovu ya Kilifi. Tukaenda kwa Bunge wakapitisha. Tutaenda kwa wananchi, wakatoa alama mbili, ndizi na chungwa. Wale ambao walikuwa wanasema ndiyo, na wale waliokuwa na chungwa, no. Na baada ya hapo tukasema hii chungwa itakuwa alama ya chama chetu. Sasa ODM ilizaliwa miaka ishirini iliyopita kule Kisumu,” he remarked.
ODM’s twentieth Anniversary
Raila made these declarations because the ODM celebration convened at Bukiri Primary School in Funyula, Busia County, to commemorate the party’s two-decade milestone below the theme “Celebrating Our Unity and Diversity.”
The occasion was vibrant, crammed with color and pleasure, and all of the leaders who spoke showered Raila with reward, reaffirming their unwavering help for him, regardless of which route he determined to take.
Following Raila’s deal with, ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga led the attendees and leaders right into a jubilant cake-cutting ceremony, as cheers echoed all through the venue after Baba’s extremely anticipated speech.
The celebration was attended by an array of distinguished ODM politicians, together with Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o (Interim Party Leader), Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna (ODM Secretary-General), Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (Deputy Party Leader), Kisii Governor Simba Arati (Deputy Party Leader), and Godfrey Osotsi (Deputy Leader).