President Ruto attends ODM@20 founders’ dinner in Mombasa

President William Ruto attended the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations and Founders’ Dinner in Mombasa.

ODM is marking its 20-year milestone with a three-day celebration at the Mama Ngina Waterfront, running from Friday to Sunday, to commemorate what it describes as two decades of political service and struggle.

The anniversary will also highlight the legacy of ODM’s late leader, Raila Amolo Odinga.

Ruto's presence at the event marks a display of political unity under the current broad-based government.

Ruto was joined by several senior leaders from his administration, reflecting the importance he places on the 20-year milestone of ODM.

According to ODM, the celebration is not merely ceremonial; it also sends a message about its goal to honour its promise to Kenyans.

This relationship between Ruto and ODM is rooted in history.

On March 7, 2025, Ruto and Raila signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for cooperation.

According to their joint statement, the pact is not a full merger; instead, it aims to promote inclusive governance, fight corruption and strengthen national unity.

Some observers say the alliance echoes past partnerships. Ruto has publicly recalled that early in his career, he worked with Raila in the ODM.

The Ruto-Raila working arrangement ended years of political rivalry that dated back to the grand coalition government following the disputed 2007 elections.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Friday, Joho emphasised that Ruto’s attendance reflects his historical role in the party.

“A fact is a fact. The truth is that President William Ruto is a founding member of ODM. That cannot be changed, regardless of subsequent events,” Joho said.

Joho, who joined the broad-based government following a working agreement between Ruto and Raila after the 2024 Gen Z-led anti-government protests, traced the party’s origins to key political figures, including Ruto, former Cabinet ministers Henry Kosgey, Frankline Bett and Najib Balala.

“They were there at the founding, so Ruto’s presence at the celebrations is not a problem,” Joho said.

At the same time, Ruto has expressed publicly that the cooperation with ODM is a temporary but important arrangement.

He said the MoU is not about power-sharing for the 2027 election but rather a commitment to “foster unity of purpose” and address Kenya’s socio-economic challenges.

On August 9, Raila defended the deal as a necessary step for national stability.

He has said he “does not regret” working with Ruto, framing their partnership as a pragmatic response to urgent national problems.

“It was necessary to take emergency measures at a time when the country was about to collapse. We do not regret that action,” he said during a burial in Homa Bay.

ODM emerged from a turbulent period in Kenya’s political history, marked by debates over the 2005 constitutional referendum and internal party realignments.