Samuel Poghisio: Half of ODM died with Raila Odinga
By Joel Masibo, January 19, 2026Former West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio has cautioned that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party risks crumbling over the consistent wrangles rocking the political outfit post-Raila Odinga era.
Speaking in a local TV interview on Monday, January 19, 2026, Poghisio argued that half of ODM died with its founder and leader, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, while undergoing treatment in India.
Poghisio further argued that the structures that Odinga left behind are not strong enough to bind the party together, as members are divided in opinion regarding the 2027 general election alignments, particularly, coalition talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
”I have said this again, and again, ODM behave as if thogh they don’t see what is happening. 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. The superstructure of the party is not the same; it is not standing on solid ground,” he argued.
”Even now, you can see that ODM is divided; there are people who are in a hurry to be identified with the government of the day, they are asking what they will get in the next government. ODM, which is the biggest political party with over 20 years, can easily be fractured, can easily go flat.” He cautioned.
Storm in ODM
Poghisio’s sentiments come shortly after Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has launched an attack on a section of ODM members, accusing them of betraying the late Raila Odinga’s legacy by aligning with President Ruto’s UDA.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Amisi claimed that certain party members are using ODM to advance their personal political interests at the expense of Raila’s ideals.
“Baba (Raila) they never cared about your legacy, they are here baba. They want to chase us all from ODM so that they can join UDA, baba, they are all here,” Amisi stated.
The Saboti legislator claimed that some ODM members are using the party to mistreat what he described as Raila’s own children, appealing to the late leader for guidance.
“They are using your party to mistreat your own children Baba, they are here. Give us a signal,” he said.
Meanwhile, as internal wrangles threaten the unity of ODM heading into the next general election, party leader Oburu Oginga has maintained that the under siege political outfit is united and reading from the same page.