President William Ruto has donated Ksh1 million to facilitate the travel of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) youth from Nairobi to Mombasa for the party's 20th-anniversary celebrations, a move confirmed by Lang'ata Member of Parliament Felix 'Jalang'o' Odiwuor on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The contribution comes as the ODM party, a cornerstone of Kenyan opposition politics, prepares for its first major national gathering since the passing of its founder and long-time leader, Raila Odinga.

The three-day event, scheduled from Friday, November 14, to Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Mombasa, is set to commemorate two decades of the party's existence and honour Odinga's legacy. According to a statement from Jalang'o, the President's donation was a direct response to a need expressed by the youth members. "Our youth wanted to attend the Mombasa event but lacked the means. I stepped out to take a call from President William Ruto. He gave me KSh 1 million to help them get there," Odiwuor stated.

A Gesture Laden with Political Significance

President Ruto, a founding member of ODM's original 'Pentagon' leadership, is also expected to attend the celebrations, including a founders' dinner on Saturday, November 15. His attendance and financial support for the youth of a rival party are widely interpreted as a significant political manoeuvre. This act is seen by analysts as part of a broader strategy by the President to build bridges and potentially reshape political alliances following the death of Raila Odinga, who had agreed to a broad-based government collaboration with Ruto's administration.

The anniversary celebrations themselves are a major undertaking for ODM, now under the interim leadership of Senator Oburu Oginga, Raila Odinga's brother. The programme includes a special sitting of the National Governing Council, summits for the party's women and youth leagues, a youth concert, and a main celebration at the Mama Ngina Waterfront. The events will culminate in an inter-religious thanksgiving service on Sunday.

Navigating a New Political Landscape

The donation has ignited varied reactions within Kenya's political circles. While some view it as a gesture of national unity and respect for a former political ally and rival, others are more skeptical, suggesting it could be an attempt to influence ODM's future direction and weaken it as an opposition force. Since Odinga's passing, ODM has been navigating internal divisions, with some factions advocating for continued cooperation with the government and others calling for the party to maintain its role as a robust opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Top ODM leaders, including several Cabinet Secretaries who were appointed as part of the collaboration agreement, have publicly affirmed their support for President Ruto, framing it as honouring Raila Odinga's final wishes for national unity. However, other influential figures within the party have urged caution, insisting that any cooperation should not dilute the party's identity or its long-term electoral ambitions.

Jalang'o, who has previously faced criticism from some ODM quarters for his close working relationship with President Ruto, has consistently maintained that his focus is on development for his constituents. His role as the conduit for this donation places him at the centre of the evolving relationship between the government and the opposition.

The Mombasa event is therefore more than just a commemoration; it is a critical moment for ODM to project unity and chart its strategic path forward. President Ruto's presence and contribution add a layer of complexity, highlighting the fluid and often unpredictable nature of Kenyan politics. As thousands of members, including the Nairobi youth delegation supported by the President's funds, converge on the coast, the nation will be watching for signs of how the political landscape will settle in the new, post-Raila era.