Orange Democratic Movement Party Of Kenya

Orange Democratic Movement – Kenya (ODM-Kenya)

Founded: August 2007

Key Figures: Kalonzo Musyoka, Mutula Kilonzo

Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya 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.

The present ODM-K was created out of a split between Kalonzo Musyoka 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 Nairobi Metropolitan development, as his faction received very little support in the parliamentary election.