The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced a countrywide candle-lighting ceremony on Friday, October 2, 2026, as part of activities marking the first anniversary of the death of former party leader Raila Odinga.
The event, scheduled to take place simultaneously across Kenya at 6:00 pm, will bring together Kenyans to remember Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025, according to a statement issued by the party.
ODM said the candle-lighting exercise is being organised in conjunction with the National Steering Committee on the preparations for the first anniversary of the Raila Odinga Memorial.
The party said the event follows an earlier announcement made after a meeting of its Central Committee on September 9, 2026.
“The party in conjunction with the National Steering Committee on the preparations for the 1st anniversary of the Raila Odinga Memorial has organized a countrywide Candle Lighting event on Friday 2nd October 2026,” ODM said.
The party has dedicated the entire month of October to activities intended to commemorate Odinga and reflect on his political legacy, values and contribution to Kenya.
According to ODM, the commemorative activities will provide Kenyans with an opportunity to remember what it described as the values Odinga stood for, the causes he championed and his commitment to the country.
“The party has dedicated the month of October to activities that will give Kenyans an opportunity [to] remember Baba and bring to memory the values he stood for, the fights he put up for the betterment of the society and the love he had for Kenyans and his motherland of Kenya,” the statement said.
The party is using the hashtag #MweziWaBaba as the rallying theme for the October commemorations.
ODM said Kenyans from different backgrounds will be invited to participate in the candle-lighting exercise from wherever they are, as well as at designated public venues across the country.
“On Friday, Kenyans from all walks of life will be invited to Light up for Baba wherever they will be, at County headquarters and other designated venues,” the party said.
In Nairobi, the main candle-lighting event will be held at Uhuru Park Grounds, with activities beginning at 3:00pm, before the nationwide candle-lighting moment at 6:00pm.
In Mombasa, the event will take place at Treasury Square in the CBD, while residents of Kisumu will gather at Kisumu Central Square for the commemorative activity.
The October programme comes nearly one year after Odinga’s death and is expected to place renewed focus on his decades-long political career and public life.
Odinga, popularly known as Baba, was a central figure in Kenya’s opposition politics for decades and served as ODM’s party leader.
The candle-lighting ceremony is part of ODM’s broader effort to commemorate his life and preserve the memory of the values and causes associated with his political journey.
The party urged Kenyans to participate in the nationwide exercise as part of the October remembrance programme, with the simultaneous 6:00 pm candle-lighting serving as the central moment of Friday’s commemoration.
