ODM to honour Raila’s legacy by launching leadership academy
By Paulette Mboga, September 22, 2025Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has announced plans to launch the Raila Odinga Academy of Leadership during an upcoming youth event in Mombasa, saying the institution will play a key role in shaping the next generation of leaders.
Speaking on Monday, September 22, 2025, in Machakos during the Parliamentary Group meeting, Wanga revealed that the academy will be one of the major highlights of the gathering, describing it as a long-overdue initiative.
“One of the things we will be launching during the youth event is the Raila Odinga Academy of Leadership. We will be launching it so that we just don’t speak of having gone through that academy, but we have a real academy that will bring forth new leaders, and that is one of the things Baba will be launching during our youth event in Mombasa,” she said.
Wanga said that the academy is not just symbolic but will serve as a structured institution dedicated to grooming leaders who can build on the vision of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
She added that the timing of the launch coincides with a period of reflection for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as it marks 20 years since its formation.
It is worth noting that, as part of nurturing youth leadership, Raila, while speaking at the International Conference on Africa’s Democracy (ICAD 2025) in Abuja, Nigeria, said that the youth must lead now, not later.
Celebrating 20 years of ODM
According to Wanga, ODM remains the only political party in Kenya to have contested in four general elections without interruption since its formation in 2005.
She pointed out that the party has contributed significantly to shaping electoral jurisprudence, particularly in presidential election petitions, while maintaining a clean record with the Registrar of Political Parties.
“In July 2024, the Registrar of Political Parties declared ODM as the only party in the country that operates legally within the requirements of the law,” she noted.
Wanga highlighted the party’s growing influence at the county level, citing the steady rise in the number of elected Members of County Assembly (MCAs) over the years.
“In 2013, we had 383 MCAs, in 2017 we had 435, and in 2022 that number rose to 473. That is why we are saying 20 years of resilience,” she explained.
“For us to keep these numbers, we need to keep a strong party. So how do we move to 600 MCAs in 2027?” she posed.