Former Kacheliba MP Samwel Poghisio is welcomed into the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) by Deputy Party leader Simba Arati at Chungwa House in Nairobi, as party officials look on.
By Metro News Reporter
Former MP for Kacheliba and the immediate former Senator for West Pokot County Mr Samuel Poghisio today officially ditched KANU for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and immediately declared that he will team up with party officials and members to popularize the party in the county.
Mr Poghisio was received in the party by the Deputy Party Leader Mr Simba Arati who hailed him and the delegation he came with to Nairobi for their bravery and sacrifice.
Poghisio who was the first member of parliament for Kacheliba, was elected to parliament on a KANU ticket in the famous Mlolongo election, but his stay in parliament was cut short when he was expelled from the party by the then powerful KANU disciplinary committee.
He was then re-elected in 1997 and served for another three terms until 2013. In 2017, he was elected as the Senator for West Pokot up to 2022.
Speaking during the occasion held at Chungwa House, Mr Poghisio said that he has been a longtime admirer of the party and that he has now found the opportunity to join the ODM after consultations with the party officials in the county and his family members who urged him on.
Mr Arati who is also the Governor of Kisii County said by joining ODM, Mr Poghisio had shown resilience and determination to overcome any possible hurdles on his journey to become the next Governor of West Pokot county.
“Baba loved West Pokot. The Pokot people loved him back. We are going to reignite the fire. The spirit of Baba will be felt all over,” he said.
He said the party was determined to ensure it wins majority seats in both Houses of Parliament, at least 20 gubernatorial seats and majority of MCA seats across the country.
“We are determined to make ODM bigger. We shall traverse all corners of the republic strengthening and adding new energy into the party,” he added.
Mr Poghisio was accompanied by a delegation of 80 people including sitting MCAs who also defected into the party.
The MCAs who joined Mr. Poghisio in joining the ODM party are; Gladys Kori, John Bosco Lotikiru, Amos Liangor, Joshua Kolipus Nakuria and Tukei Mzalendo Simon as well as Francis Krop who is an aspirant for the Kacheliba parliamentary seat.
The event was also attended by Deputy Governors Martin Moshisho (Kajiado) and William Oduol Denge (Siaya). Others were MPs John Ariko (Turkana South), Dr. Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), Senator of Kisumu County Prof. Tom Ojienda and the Executive Director of the party Mr Oduor Ong’wen.
Mr Ong’wen welcomed the new members to the party saying they had made the right decision to join ODM. “We are the only party in Kenya with over 1.5 million officials from the grassroots levels to the national level, therefore you are in the right party,” he said.
