The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced plans for a special football tournament in Mombasa as part of its ongoing celebrations to mark two decades since the party’s founding.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 7, the party said the event would bring together some of Kenya’s biggest football clubs in what it described as a first-of-its-kind political party–sponsored tournament.
"All roads lead to Mombasa this weekend for the first ever football tournament to be organized by a political party involving teams playing in the country's top-flight league," the statement read.
According to the party, the competition will feature Kenya Premier League giants AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, Shabana FC, and Bandari FC, and will span two days.
"The tournament, which is part of the ODM at Twenty celebrations will feature Kenya's soccer giants AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia as well as Shabana FC and Bandari FC, is scheduled to kick off on Thursday 9th and end on Friday 10th," the statement added.
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ODM further revealed that the match fixtures were confirmed during a draw held in Nairobi, with Bandari FC set to open the tournament against AFC Leopards.
"On Wednesday last week, the draw for the teams participating in the tournament was held at a Nairobi hotel in which the host Bandari, will host AFC Leopards in the first match to be played on Thursday 9th October 2025 at 2:00pm.
"The second match will be between Kisii-based Shabana FC and Gor Mahia FC at 4:00pm," the statement further read.
According to ODM, the losers of the opening matches will compete in the play-offs before the grand finale on Friday afternoon.
"Losers in the match between Bandari FC and AFC Leopards and the other match between Shabana FC and Gor Mahia will meet on Friday at 12:00pm for the play-offs while winners will play in the finals at 2:00pm," the statement continued.
ODM explained that the winning team will then face an ODM-affiliated squad in a special exhibition match to wrap up the celebrations.
"The winners of the tournament will play an exhibition match with Chungwa FC which will comprise of players from the ODM party and ODM Members of Parliament featuring in the Bunge FC," the statement concluded.
All matches will be played at the Mbaraki Sports Grounds.
The ODM@20 celebrations have been months in the making, with extensive preparations underway for what the party described as a historic commemoration.
In a press release on Friday, September 19, the party's National Executive Committee, chaired by National Chairperson Governor Gladys Wanga, had convened in Nairobi to review preparations for the upcoming celebrations.
The NEC adopted a rich programme of activities for the official celebrations in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties, including the four-team knockout football tournament.
The tournament was designed to bring together football enthusiasts and party supporters to celebrate sport and unity.
Beyond sports, the party had planned a Youth Summit to bring together young leaders from across the country, recognizing the critical role of youth in shaping the movement's future.
A Women's Convention was also on the agenda, aimed at highlighting the role of women in the struggle for democracy and social justice.
The programme included a PwD Breakfast focusing on inclusion and empowerment, demonstrating the party's commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities remain central to national conversations.
As preparations intensified, the party issued a delegate registration notice on Tuesday, September 23, indicating it would cater for selected participants from all 290 constituencies.
Still, it welcomed other party members who wished to attend the celebrations at their own expense to register through the party's online portal.
The registration portal was opened with a deadline of Monday, September 29.
