Editor's Review

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has announced a nationwide candle-lighting event on Friday, October 2, 2026, in honour of the late Raila Odinga. 

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has announced a nationwide candle lighting event in honour of the late Raila Odinga. 

In a statement on Wednesday, September 3, the party said the candle lighting event will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, across the country from 6:00 PM.

“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. 

“This activity will be held simultaneously across the country at 6:00 pm in remembrance of the great son of the soil who rested on the 15th of October 2025,” read the statement in part. 

ODM invited Kenyans to participate in the candle lighting by lighting candles wherever they will be on Friday evening.

Read More

  1. Businessman Suleiman Shahbal Warns Ruto About Working With ODM
  2. Ruto Indirectly Hits Out at Uhuru after Claim of Raila's Alleged Victory in 2022
  3. Uhuru Must Explain Why He Handed Power to Ruto If Raila Won - Oburu Hits Back

File image of the gun carriage carrying late Raila Odinga's casket. 

In Nairobi, the candle lighting event will be held at Uhuru Park Grounds, with activities scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm.

In Mombasa, the event will be held at the Treasury Square, while in Kisumu it will take place at the Kisumu Central Square.

Further, ODM said it has dedicated October to activities aimed at remembering Raila and reflecting on the values he championed throughout his political career. 

“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 society and the love he had for Kenyans and his motherland of Kenya,” the statement added. 

This comes weeks after Raila’s family established a committee to coordinate activities marking his first death anniversary. 

In a statement on Sunday, September 13, the family said the committee will be led by Professor Adams Oloo. 

The family noted that the committee is developing a program of events for Raila’s death anniversary. 

“The family has constituted a committee chaired by Prof. Adams Oloo to coordinate commemorative activities during the week of the 15th. 

“The committee is currently developing the programme, which the family will announce in good time,” the statement read. 

Raila’s family also noted that many Kenyans did not get an opportunity to mourn the former premier or bid him farewell in the manner they would have wished following his death in October 2025.

The family said the first anniversary would provide an opportunity for his supporters and Kenyans to remember and honour him. 

“We therefore want this first anniversary to give the people their moment with Baba to remember him, mourn him, celebrate him and honour the journey they shared with him,” the family said.