Poghisio: ODM risks losing support if it fails to field presidential candidate
By Nancy Marende, July 28, 2025Former Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio has warned that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) faces the risk of political irrelevance if it fails to field a presidential candidate in the upcoming general election.
Speaking at a local TV station on Monday, July 28, 2025, Poghisio noted growing concerns among ODM’s younger leaders, who are increasingly uneasy about the party’s future direction and lack of clarity on its presidential ambitions.
“The younger officials of ODM are trying to tell Raila that if we continue with this direction, we will have no party. Our party will decimate,” he stated.
He emphasised that without a presidential candidate, ODM risks scattering its core support base, which could result in reduced parliamentary strength and a weakened national presence.
“If you don’t have a presidential candidate, you will scatter your people; they will go into other political parties, and therefore, you will not have enough MPs to support a strong parliamentary party. And so you become a relegated party,” he added.
Poghisio also referenced recent remarks by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua about internal rifts in ODM, suggesting that divisions within the party are already becoming visible.
He also pointed out that once-loyal regions such as Western Kenya are showing signs of disengagement.
“The division has begun for your information; what Rugathi Gachagua was saying about splitting the party into two is now being seen in ODM. Western Kenya, which used to be a very strong follower of Raila, is now struggling to follow,” he added.
ODM
He cautioned that ODM’s identity as a party has always been rooted in its leadership and bold opposition stance. Losing that identity, he warned, could alienate long-time supporters.
“If he is not in that ballot or someone from that party is not on the ballot, you begin to lose ardent followers, and I think Raila is wise enough to notice,” he stated.
Poghisio urged the party’s leadership to reflect on its legacy and chart a clear path forward to retain its influence in national politics.
“People support ODM because it is not a follower party. That is the strength of ODM; the day it becomes a follower, the guys who understood the party as the strong opposition party that helps people understand themselves, people just move away,” he added.