The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony scheduled for Friday, October 2, to mark one year since the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The ceremony will take place simultaneously across the country at 6 pm, with Kenyans encouraged to light candles wherever they are, including at county headquarters and other designated locations. ODM said the event was organised alongside the National Steering Committee tasked with planning for the first anniversary of the Raila Odinga Memorial.
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The announcement follows a communication issued by the party after a Central Committee meeting held on September 9, 2026. ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga called on Kenyans both locally and in the diaspora to take part in the candle-lighting, referring to Raila by his well-known monikers — “Baba,” “Agwambo Wuod Nyalego,” and “the father of devolution.”
In a post on X, Wanga reflected on the loss, describing Raila as a giant whose legacy and memory continue to live on in the hearts of the nation, even a year after his passing.
In Nairobi, the main candle-lighting event will take place at Uhuru Park Grounds starting at 3 pm, with the candle-lighting itself set for 6 pm. In Mombasa, the ceremony will be held at Treasury Square within the Central Business District, while Kisumu’s event will take place at Kisumu Central Square.
The party said the October activities are meant to give Kenyans a chance to honour Raila’s memory and reflect on the values he championed, the causes he fought for, and his broader contribution to Kenyan society. Branding the commemoration “#MweziWaBaba,” ODM invited Kenyans from all backgrounds to “light up for Baba” wherever they may be.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80, while receiving medical treatment in India. His passing was followed by a state funeral and a period of nationwide mourning, before he was laid to rest at his family home in Bondo, Siaya County.
READ MORE: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is Dead
The October 2 candle-lighting precedes the official first anniversary of his death on October 15, with ODM dedicating the entire month to commemorative events under the #MweziWaBaba campaign.
