The Orange Democratic Movement expressed gratitude to Kenyans, especially its party members and supporters, for showing restraint and opting for peace during the June 25 anniversary commemorations, noting that such behaviour underscored a dedication to constitutionalism and the rule of law.
A Friday announcement from the party linked the calm celebrations to a call issued by leader Oburu Oginga while the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations report was presented.
By selecting peace instead of destruction and honoring the Constitution and its laws, you have shown that our movement is guided by noble principles rather than disorder,” the party added.
The party also praised security agencies for preserving relative calm during the commemorations, while noting that some law‑enforcement officers could have behaved more appropriately.
It called on police to keep exercising maximum restraint in future demonstrations and refrain from using excessive force against unarmed civilians.
We reaffirm that the right to peaceful assembly, demonstration, picketing and petition, as protected by Article 37 of Kenya’s Constitution, is inviolable; such rights must be exercised responsibly, peacefully and without weaponry,” the party said.
The party traced the appeal to its history, noting that its supporters have suffered severe human‑rights abuses during key political eventsthe 2005 constitutional referendum, the 2007‑08 post‑election violence, the 2013 and 2017 general elections, and protests in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The party highlighted that many supporters were shot, beaten, abducted, maimed, assaulted, and killed while championing democratic governance and the rule of law.
It also commended residents of Kisumu County for displaying civic responsibility by registering as voters in large numbers, rather than staging destructive protests.
By opting for registration over confrontation, the people of Kisumu sent a potent message through their high voter‑registration turnout for the 2027 general election,” the statement added.
ODM urged families and supporters of human‑rights victims from those periods to file claims with the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations.
The party said the reparations programme offers a chance for national healing and restorative justice, urging affected families to submit testimonies and evidence for consideration.
It also encouraged Kenyans to follow Kisumu’s example by registering as voters before the 2027 general election, stating that democratic change is best achieved through the ballot.