Poghisio warns political mood could upend 2027 election
By Paulette Mboga, August 8, 2025Former Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio has backed former Agriculture Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa’s assertion that Kenya’s political mood could shift the outcome of the next general election.
Poghisio, in an interview with K24 TV on Friday, August 8, 2025, said the prevailing public sentiment is highly critical of the current administration, warning that if elections were held today, the results would likely be different.
“I agree with Arap Kirwa, in a way. If elections were to be held today, there would be a different result — even the president and his advisors know that. Kenyans are very critical at the moment,” Poghisio said.
He described the political environment as an “estranged relationship” between leaders and the people, adding that the fallout between President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua had been “amazing” in how it unfolded.
According to Poghisio, Gachagua was handled roughly, and his impeachment could almost be described as “violence,” forcing him out of office soon after settling in.
Ruto’s quick exit
Poghisio’s remarks came after Kirwa claimed that President Ruto might relocate the 2027 presidential election tallying centre from Nairobi to a different location to make it easier to flee if he loses.
Speaking in a TV interview on June 16, 2025, Kirwa suggested that Ruto is aware that the upcoming election may not favour him.
“I suspect the tallying centre may not be in Nairobi,” Kirwa said. “He may want to be away from the city so that, if necessary, he can get assistance to leave the country temporarily.”
Kirwa linked the plans to a wider strategy of fear-mongering, aimed at either keeping Ruto’s political base intact or discouraging opponents from turning out to vote.
“He wants to create apathy among those of us who want him out of office,” Kirwa added. “He’s trying to make it look like there’s no point voting because he will not hand over power.”
Poghisio also weighed in on Gachagua’s role in the unfolding political drama, saying the former deputy president has branded himself a truthful man and claims to have evidence to support his stance. “Rigathi says he has evidence, and he can have that evidence in that office,” Poghisio noted.