The Unsung Founder

NAIROBI – In a revelation that casts new light on the origins of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), it has emerged that the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga once made a secret, late-night journey to Nairobi's Dandora estate to meet the party's first and little-known Secretary-General, Jane Wangui Muringi. This pivotal meeting, which occurred in the nascent stages of the party's formation, saw Mr. Odinga personally seek out Ms. Muringi to persuade her to hand over the political vehicle that would become one of Kenya's most dominant political forces.

A Ghetto Meeting that Shaped History

Ms. Muringi, a resident of Dandora, recounted the unforgettable evening when she received a call from political activist Tony Gachoka, who was waiting outside her home. To her astonishment, he led her to a high-end vehicle where she came face-to-face with Mr. Odinga. “The man that I was always seeing on television, the enigma, was the one inside the vehicle,” Ms. Muringi told the Nation. She described being driven around Nairobi, feeling both shocked and shaken, as Mr. Odinga explained why she was crucial to his political ambitions. “He told me that I had what he wanted most, the party,” she recalled.

The ODM party had been originally registered by lawyer Mugambi Imanyara, with Ms. Muringi, then a youth driven by a desire for social change, installed as its inaugural Secretary-General. Mr. Imanyara confirmed her foundational role, stating, “She was our inaugural SG before we replaced her with Mr. Tony Chege.” It was this legal registration that Mr. Odinga, a leading figure in the 'No' campaign during the 2005 constitutional referendum, needed to build his political movement. Recognizing the alignment between her vision for change and Mr. Odinga's reformist agenda, Ms. Muringi agreed to transfer the party's leadership. “I gave birth to a new political force, and Raila gave it life,” she stated.

ODM@20: A Tribute to a Legacy

This historical detail has surfaced as the ODM party prepares to mark its 20th anniversary in Mombasa, an event now imbued with a somber tone following Mr. Odinga's death in October 2025. The celebrations, scheduled from Thursday, November 13th to Sunday, November 16th, 2025, are intended to be both a commemoration of the party's two-decade journey and a tribute to its late leader. Ms. Muringi revealed that she had been personally invited by Mr. Odinga to the founders' dinner before his passing. Following his death, she received a follow-up invitation from the interim party leader, Dr. Oburu Oginga, reaffirming her status as a founder and the party's commitment to proceeding with the event in honour of his brother's vision.

The anniversary is expected to draw significant political figures, including President William Ruto, who was one of ODM's early influential members, and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The event underscores the complex and shifting alliances that have defined Kenyan politics. The original ODM 'Pentagon' included key figures like Mr. Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Najib Balala, and the late Joe Nyaga, who represented various regional interests. The party itself was born from the 'Orange' movement that successfully campaigned against the proposed constitution in 2005.

Implications for Kenya's Political Landscape

The story of Ms. Muringi's foundational role and Mr. Odinga's personal intervention to secure the party highlights the strategic, and often unseen, manoeuvres that underpin political movements in Kenya. Her journey from a community activist in Dandora to a key, albeit unsung, figure in the creation of a political behemoth speaks to the grassroots energy that the ODM initially harnessed. Now serving as the Nairobi County Chief Officer for Markets and Trade, Ms. Muringi's story is a testament to a political journey that has come full circle. As the ODM navigates its future without its charismatic leader, this look into its origins provides a crucial context for understanding the party's core identity and the legacy Mr. Odinga sought to build—a legacy that began with a quiet, consequential meeting on a Dandora night.