Hon. Aden joins Kenyans in Candlelighting Tribute to late Raila Odinga

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct. 2, 2026 

Kamukunji parliamentary aspirant Omar Aden today joined leaders and Kenyans in a nationwide candlelighting ceremony marking the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) began a month-long programme honouring its former leader. 
PHOTO: Hon. Omar Aden during the candlelighting held at Uhuru Park, Nairobi

ODM designated October as “Mwezi wa Baba” and called on Kenyans at home and abroad to light candles at 6 p.m. in remembrance of Odinga, who died in India on Oct. 15, 2025, aged 80. 

Aden, who recently joined ODM as a lifetime member and is seeking the Kamukunji parliamentary seat in the 2027 elections, was among those participating in the commemoration. 

The candlelighting marks the start of a series of activities planned across the country, including an ODM memorial rally in Kakamega on Oct. 9 and further events in Garissa, the Coast, Kajiado, Turkana and Nairobi later in the month. 

Odinga's family is also organising a separate programme, with his widow, Ida Odinga, expected to lead an official international candlelighting ceremony at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo on Oct. 9. The family-led steering committee, chaired by Prof. Adams Oloo, said the initiative was intended to give Kenyans an opportunity to remember Odinga outside formal party structures, while welcoming the parallel ODM commemoration. 

Odinga, who served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013, spent decades at the centre of Kenya's political and democratic struggles. He was detained during the country's one-party era and later became a leading figure in the campaign for multiparty democracy and constitutional reforms
His political career played a significant role in Kenya's transition toward multiparty politics and the adoption of the 2010 Constitution. 

For ODM, the first anniversary comes at a politically significant time as the party prepares for the 2027 elections without its long-time leader. The month-long commemorations are therefore both a remembrance of Odinga's political legacy and an opportunity for his party and supporters to reflect on the movement he built over several decades. 

Aden's participation also places his emerging Kamukunji campaign within ODM's broader effort to maintain political engagement with supporters as the party enters a new phase following Odinga's death.

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