Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, otherwise known as Jalang’o, has declared a candle-lighting activity on Uhuru Park, Nairobi on Friday, October 2 to mark the passing of the former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.

The event starts at 3 pm and goes on until midnight, according to Jalang’o’s announcement on Tuesday, September 29. The candle-lighting is part of “Mwezi wa Baba” program, which is running through the month in commemoration of the 1st anniversary of the former Prime Minister’s demise. Jalang’o announced the Uhuru Park event as the first major activity in the October anniversary events.

“We are starting the month of October very strong! Mwezi wa Baba! This Friday 2nd October we shall gather at Uhuru Park from 3:00 PM until midnight to have a candle-lighting celebration in honour of our late party leader, Baba Raila Amollo Odinga,” said Jalang’o in his message.

The ODM leader had earlier in the week announced that October will be dedicated to activities of Raila Odinga who died in India on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 years.

The ODM Party has also declared a month-long program of activities starting with a candle-lighting exercise on October 2. The party asked all Kenyans to light candles at 6 pm on their own or in groups as a mark of respect for the former Prime Minister. Other events include a memorial rally in Kakamega on October 9, family days from October 10 to 15. A memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo where Raila Odinga is buried. There will also be activities in Garissa on October 17, Coast region on October 18 and 19, Kajiado on October 21 and Turkana from October 23 to 25 with a memorial rally in Nairobi on October 31.

Jalang’o had earlier announced that the October 31 event will be at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi.

“Mwezi wa Baba will be the whole of October,” Jalang’o said when the program was announced earlier in the week.

The October activities are in addition to another set of events being organized by Raila Odinga’s family which has put together a national steering committee for the anniversary of the former Prime Minister’s death.

The family committee in its statement called for Kenyans to remember, commemorate and celebrate the life and legacy of Raila Odinga while at the same time allowing all Kenyans to “mourn, remember and celebrate his life.” The family called for the week of activities to demonstrate “national diversity and unity in purpose” and hold events that will give space to all social and religious groupings.

The Uhuru Park candle lighting event will therefore be among the first public events marking the anniversary of the death of the former Prime Minister and ODM leader.