Revealed: How Mugambi Imanyara Nearly Took ODM Away From Raila Before 2007 Elections

Lawyer Mugambi Imanyara has opened up about a little-known chapter in Kenya’s political history — the moment when the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) almost slipped away before it even took off.

Speaking about events leading up to the 2007 general elections, Imanyara recounted the confusion and power struggle that surrounded the registration of the ODM name — a process that unexpectedly brought him face-to-face with Raila Odinga himself.

According to Imanyara, the Orange Democratic Movement was born after the 2005 constitutional referendum, uniting leaders who had opposed the proposed constitution at the time.

Among them were Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, and several others.

The orange symbol had become a national emblem of resistance and victory for the “No” camp, and many believed it should continue as a political party that represented the people’s will.

However, before the coalition could formally register ODM, Imanyara made a bold move — he went ahead and registered the name “Orange Democratic Movement” under his own leadership.

This unexpected move sparked a major internal conflict. When Raila and his team tried to register the same name, they were shocked to discover it had already been legally taken. 

As a result, they were forced to adopt a temporary alternative: Orange Democratic Movement–Kenya (ODM–Kenya), while negotiations with Imanyara began behind the scenes.

Imanyara recalled that the situation became tense as both sides claimed ownership of the ODM identity. 

He revealed that Raila personally reached out to him, appealing for the return of the party registration documents to ensure the movement survived.

 “It was not an easy decision,” Imanyara admitted. “I was under immense pressure from different political forces, but I believed ODM had grown beyond individuals — it was now a people’s movement.”

Eventually, Imanyara agreed to surrender the ODM party to Raila and his team, paving the way for them to contest the 2007 general elections under the ODM banner.

He said his decision was driven by a commitment to democracy and the belief that ODM represented the voice of millions of Kenyans.

 “ODM had become bigger than us all. It stood for the will of Kenyans who wanted real change,” he concluded.

The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes struggles that shaped one of Kenya’s most influential political parties and set the stage for Raila Odinga’s historic rise as the face of the ODM movement.