Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi has spoken his mind Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) prepares to mark its 20th anniversary in Kisii.
Today Kisii Governor Simba Arati and will hosted key ODM figures, among them National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohammed, who inspected the Gusii stadium where the commemoration will be held.
Despite being one of the fiercest critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration, Kibagendi he used his Facebook page to share his personal recollections of ODM’s birth and early struggles.
“The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is celebrating 20 years since its formation in 2005. The first person to ever utter the words ‘Orange Democratic Movement’ was Najib Balala, the then Mvita MP, at Moi Stadium Kisumu during the referendum campaigns in 2005,” wrote Kibagendi.
He revealed that he was present at that landmark rally as a student leader from Maseno University, where he addressed the gathering alongside his then student chairman Mike Koros.
According to Kibagendi, ODM in its formative days brought together the country’s most prominent politicians, who would later chart different political paths.
“At the time, Kalonzo Musyoka was the most popular politician in Kenya. Uhuru Kenyatta was still a fringe Gatundu MP and opposition leader. Raila Odinga was struggling to break free from the tag of being a regional leader. William Ruto was battling to wrestle control of Rift Valley from Daniel Moi, Joe Nyaga was trying to stamp authority in Mt. Kenya East, while Chris Obure was consolidating the Gusii nation. They, along with many other leaders, were all in ODM,”* he noted.
Kibagendi further recounted how, after the historic Moi Stadium rally, the ODM leadership and its allies drove to Vihiga County to attend a housewarming ceremony at the home of then Sabatia MP George Khaniri.
He promised to continue sharing more of his first-hand experiences as ODM marks two decades of political existence.
The ODM anniversary celebration is expected to draw thousands of supporters and leaders from across the country. Observers say the event will not only serve as a nostalgic moment but also as a launchpad for the party’s political messaging ahead of the 2027 General Election.