Ruto attends ODM Founders’ Dinner in Mombasa
By Steve Ireri, November 15, 2025President William Ruto has graced the ODM founders’ dinner in Mombasa, marking one of the most symbolic appearances at the Orange Democratic Movement’s 20th anniversary celebrations held on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
The high-level dinner, hosted at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort, has brought together the individuals who formed the party two decades ago, offering a rare moment of reunion for the political outfit’s original architects.
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The event is part of a three-day anniversary programme organised to honour the legacy of the late Raila Odinga and reflect on ODM’s political journey since 2005.
Speaking at the start of the event, Junet Mohamed confirmed that President William Ruto was in the company of a trove of other leaders.
He listed Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Mumbi Ngaru, Henry Kosgey, Franklin Bett, and EAC Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul Moe as some of the founding leaders who were joining the president.
He added that while other influential leaders, such as CS Oparanya and Hassan Joho, were present, they were not founding members but are recognised as senior figures within ODM.
“Before I say much, tonight is a founders’ event, and the founders have been invited. We have President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Mumbi Ngaru, Henry Kosgei, Franklin Bett, and Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul Moe; this is the official list,” Junet said.
Mohamed emphasised that the dinner was specifically intended to honour the founders, highlighting the historical importance of the gathering.
“There are other influential leaders who came later; they are not founders but are big figures in ODM. We also have CS Opanya and CS Hassan Joho here. They are important leaders in the party, but the focus tonight is on the founders,” he added.
Dinner’s significance
Following Junet’s remarks, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o reflected on the significance of the founders’ dinner, noting the presence of key figures who had been with the party since its inception.
Nyong’o highlighted the presence of President William Ruto, Henry Kosgei, who served as ODM’s founding chairman, Mumbi Ngaru, and other early members of the party.
“As Junet has said, I can see many faces of people who were with us at the foundation of this party. That includes the President, Kosgei, who was my founding chairman, Mumbi Ngaru, the bright lady, and many others,” he said.
He described the occasion as a good day for the party to come together as a family.
He also emphasised the symbolic importance of ODM, noting that the Orange had become more than just a fruit and had transformed into a symbol of people demanding justice and a promise of a renewed Kenya.
“It is a good day that we have come together as a family. I would like to put the record straight. The Orange became more than a fruit. It became a symbol and the emblem of people demanding justice and the promise of a Kenya reborn,” he added.