Orange Democratic Movement–Kenya
Encyclopedia
Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya refers to a political party
in Kenya
, which originated as a result of the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum
. It grew out of the Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya
(ODM).
It is headed by Kalonzo Musyoka
, who ran for president in 2007 and now serves as the vice-president in the GNU
of Mwai Kibaki
and Raila Odinga
.
and Raila Odinga
in mid-August 2007.. Raila's group, which also included Musalia Mudavadi
, William Ruto
, Joseph Nyagah
and Najib Balala
bought out the original ODM party from Mugambi Imanyara, while Kalonzo's group, consisting of himself and Dr. Julia Ojiambo remained in the shell of ODM-Kenya.
The two factions held their elections for presidential candidate on consecutive days at the Kasarani
sports complex in Nairobi. On 31 August 2007, Kalonzo Musyoka defeated Julia Ojiambo for the ODM–Kenya ticket. On September 1 Raila Odinga was selected the ODM presidential candidate. Raila and Kalonzo faced president Kibaki in the general election. Kalonzo took a distant third place, but in January 2008 he became vice-president of Kenya under Kibaki, whose victory was disputed by Raila Odinga and the ODM.
Following the 2007-2008 Kenyan crisis,which resulted in a great loss of life, a government of national unity was formed between Kibaki's PNU and Odinga's ODM, with Musyoka retaining his position as vice-president. So far, Musyoka is one of two ODM-K in the cabinet, with Mutula Kilonzo
as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, as his faction received very little support in the parliamentary election.
's ODM party and is believed to be a central cog in a proposed political alliance intended to present a unified front against Raila in the 2012 general elections.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, which originated as a result of the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum
Kenyan constitutional referendum, 2005
The 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum was held on 21 November 2005. The proposed new constitution was voted down by a 58% majority of Kenya's voters...
. It grew out of the Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya
Orange Democratic Movement
Orange Democratic Movement refers to a political party in Kenya, which is the successor of a former grassroots people's movement which was formed in the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum. The erstwhile single party which separated in August 2007 into two...
(ODM).
It is headed by Kalonzo Musyoka
Kalonzo Musyoka
Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is a Kenyan politician, currently serving as Vice President of Kenya. Musyoka served in the government under President Daniel arap Moi and was Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1993 until 1998; subsequently, under President Mwai Kibaki, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs...
, who ran for president in 2007 and now serves as the vice-president in the GNU
Government of National Unity (Kenya)
The Government of National Unity, also known as the "grand coalition cabinet," is a designation for the current coalition government currently in power in Kenya since April 2008...
of Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki is the current and third President of the republic of Kenya.Kibaki was previously Vice President of Kenya for ten years from 1978–1988 and also held cabinet ministerial positions, including a widely acclaimed stint as Minister for Finance , Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for...
and Raila Odinga
Raila Odinga
Raila Amollo Odinga , also popularly known to Kenyans as Agwambo, is a Kenyan politician, currently serving as the Prime Minister of Kenya in a coalition government. He has served as a Member of Parliament for Langata since 1992, was Minister of Energy from 2001 to 2002, and was Minister of Roads,...
.
2007 elections
The present ODM-K was created out of a split between Kalonzo MusyokaKalonzo Musyoka
Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is a Kenyan politician, currently serving as Vice President of Kenya. Musyoka served in the government under President Daniel arap Moi and was Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1993 until 1998; subsequently, under President Mwai Kibaki, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs...
and Raila Odinga
Raila Odinga
Raila Amollo Odinga , also popularly known to Kenyans as Agwambo, is a Kenyan politician, currently serving as the Prime Minister of Kenya in a coalition government. He has served as a Member of Parliament for Langata since 1992, was Minister of Energy from 2001 to 2002, and was Minister of Roads,...
in mid-August 2007.. Raila's group, which also included Musalia Mudavadi
Musalia Mudavadi
Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi is a Kenyan politician, currently serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government.Mudavadi was born in Sabatia, Vihiga District...
, William Ruto
William Ruto
William Kipchirchir Samoei arap Ruto is a Kenyan politician who was Minister for Higher Education until 19 October 2010 after being suspended for corruption. He is also one of the two deputy party leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement. He had previously served in the Ministry of Agriculture...
, Joseph Nyagah
Joseph Nyagah
Joseph Nyagah is a Kenyan politician and is currently the Minister of Cooperative Development and Marketing in Kenya's grand coalition government....
and Najib Balala
Najib Balala
Najib Balala is a Kenyan politician. He is the Tourism Minister and a M.P...
bought out the original ODM party from Mugambi Imanyara, while Kalonzo's group, consisting of himself and Dr. Julia Ojiambo remained in the shell of ODM-Kenya.
The two factions held their elections for presidential candidate on consecutive days at the Kasarani
Kasarani
Kasarani is a residential area in Nairobi Kenya. It is in the Eastern part of Nairobi, about 10 km from the city centre along Thika Road. It is thought that the name Kasarani originated from a river that flows through the area which has the Kikuyu name Gathara-ini River...
sports complex in Nairobi. On 31 August 2007, Kalonzo Musyoka defeated Julia Ojiambo for the ODM–Kenya ticket. On September 1 Raila Odinga was selected the ODM presidential candidate. Raila and Kalonzo faced president Kibaki in the general election. Kalonzo took a distant third place, but in January 2008 he became vice-president of Kenya under Kibaki, whose victory was disputed by Raila Odinga and the ODM.
Following the 2007-2008 Kenyan crisis,which resulted in a great loss of life, a government of national unity was formed between Kibaki's PNU and Odinga's ODM, with Musyoka retaining his position as vice-president. So far, Musyoka is one of two ODM-K in the cabinet, with Mutula Kilonzo
Mutula Kilonzo
Mutula Kilonzo is a Kenyan politician and Senior Counsel, currently serving as Minister of Justice after having previously served as the Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan He belongs to the Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya and was elected to represent the Mbooni Constituency.Educated at Mbooni...
as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, as his faction received very little support in the parliamentary election.
Political Parties Act
In December of 2008 ODM-Kenya held party elections to comply with the recently passed Political Parties Act . In mid 2011 the party changed its colours and symbol in order to differentiate itself from Raila OdingaRaila Odinga
Raila Amollo Odinga , also popularly known to Kenyans as Agwambo, is a Kenyan politician, currently serving as the Prime Minister of Kenya in a coalition government. He has served as a Member of Parliament for Langata since 1992, was Minister of Energy from 2001 to 2002, and was Minister of Roads,...
's ODM party and is believed to be a central cog in a proposed political alliance intended to present a unified front against Raila in the 2012 general elections.