Former Cabinet Minister and ex-Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio has joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), marking a fresh political move ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Poghisio’s entry into the party was announced on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in a development that comes months after he publicly questioned ODM’s leadership and its ability to remain united following the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.
In January 2026, the former West Pokot Senator warned that ODM was struggling to maintain its unity, arguing that the party had lost a significant part of its political strength following Raila’s death.
“When Raila Odinga died, half of ODM died. The people wanted Raila to lead the party, and there were no structures strong enough to continue,” Poghisio said during a television interview.
He also criticised sections of the party leadership for moving closer to President William Ruto’s government, warning that ODM risked breaking apart over competing political interests.
In February, Poghisio renewed his criticism, urging party leader Oburu Oginga to convene a National Delegates Convention (NDC) to address internal divisions.
He argued that the party needed to resolve its leadership and organisational challenges before making major political decisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Poghisio previously served as the Minister for Information and Communications between 2008 and 2013 under the Grand Coalition Government of former President Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He later served as West Pokot Senator after the 2017 General Election and became Senate Majority Leader in May 2020, replacing Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
He was among the senior KANU politicians who played a significant role in parliamentary politics before the 2022 General Election.
His entry into ODM comes at a time when the party is navigating questions over its political direction, leadership and possible cooperation with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the next General Election.
The party has experienced internal disagreements over its engagement with the broad-based government, with some leaders supporting continued cooperation while others insist on maintaining an independent political position.
Poghisio’s latest political move adds another development to ODM’s ongoing reorganisation as it seeks to consolidate its structures and prepare for the 2027 political contest.
