DNK International By Our Correspondent,Kacheliba
Former West Pokot Senator and Senate Majority leader Samwel Losuron Poghisio has officially joined the ODM party marking a new chapter in his decades long political career as he positions himself to contest the West Pokot gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.
Poghisio was officially welcomed into ODM on Tuesday by the active Deputy Party Leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati at Chungwa House, the party’s national headquarters in Nairobi.
He was accompanied by a delegation of political leaders from West Pokot County which some of those who were in the delegation told Daily News Kenya-International that the move is expected to strengthen ODM’s grassroots presence in the region.
At 67, Poghisio is among Kenya’s experienced politicians, having served as a Member of Parliament, Assistant Minister, Cabinet Minister, Senator and Senate Majority Leader.
Born on November 25, 1958, in Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Poghisio according to his testimony grew up at a time when educational opportunities were limited for many children from pastoralist communities.
His father, who had worked as a nurse and later as an assistant Chief, played an important role in ensuring his children received an education.
He attended primary and secondary schools in Uganda, including Moroto High School and Nabumali High School, before joining Makerere University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences, specialising in botany and zoology.
He later on pursued postgraduate studies at Wheaton College in the United States, earning a Master of Arts in Communication between 1985 and 1987.
Poghisio later on obtained a Master of Divinity from Lincoln University in the United States between 1989 and 1992.
His academic background gave him expertise in biological sciences, communication and theology, making him one of the more academically accomplished politicians from the region.
Before joining elective politics, Poghisio worked as a teacher at Chewoyet Secondary School before moving into university teaching.
Between 1993 and 1997, he lectured at Daystar University, where he rose through the academic ranks.
His entry into politics was largely driven by his desire to defend the interests of the Pokot community and address what he considered historical marginalisation of his people.
He became politically active in 1987 before contesting the Kacheliba parliamentary seat in the 1988 General Election on a Kenya African National Union (KANU) ticket.
He won the seat but his first parliamentary experience was short lived.
Barely four months after entering Parliament, he was expelled from KANU alongside the late Kapenguria MP Francis Lotodo after openly questioning the Moi administration over alleged discrimination against the Pokot community in the distribution of national resources and relief food during a period of severe hardship.
His expulsion automatically cost him his parliamentary position under the political arrangements of the time.
Poghisio later recalled how he walked into Parliament on July 14, 1988, only to discover that he had ceased being a Member of Parliament following the party’s decision.
His political troubles were rooted in his determination to speak about the suffering of his community, particularly following the controversial 1984 military operation against armed Pokot groups, commonly associated with the Nyundo operation.
In a past press interview in 2017, he explained that witnessing the suffering of residents inspired him to stand up for the voiceless.
He famously said: “From there, I vowed that one day, I would stand up and speak for the voiceless.”
After losing his parliamentary position, Poghisio temporarily stepped away from active politics and travelled to the United States for further studies.
He returned to Kenya in 1993 and resumed his academic career at Daystar University.
He made a political comeback in the 1997 General Election, reclaiming the Kacheliba parliamentary seat on a KANU ticket.
Poghisio successfully defended the seat in the 2002 and 2007 elections, becoming one of the region’s influential political figures.
During his time as Kacheliba MP, Poghisio championed education and increased opportunities for children from the largely marginalised constituency.
He particularly encouraged young people to pursue secondary and university education.
His efforts in promoting education earned him the nickname “Kalamu Mrefu”, which loosely translates to the long pen, a reference to his educational background and advocacy for learning.
He once told the media that he ensured thousands of young people from his constituency secured opportunities to join secondary schools and universities during his parliamentary tenure.
His parliamentary career also saw him consistently raise concerns about the historical neglect of Kacheliba, particularly in road infrastructure, water provision, education and access to government services.
In parliamentary debates, he highlighted the difficult conditions facing residents, arguing that the constituency required special development interventions because of its arid and semi-arid environment.
His experience and political influence earned him an appointment as Assistant Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology between 2000 and 2002 during President Daniel arap Moi’s administration.
Following the formation of the Grand Coalition Government under former President Mwai Kibaki after the disputed 2007 General Election, Poghisio was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Information and Communications in 2008, a position he held until 2013.
His tenure at the Information and Communications Ministry coincided with a transformative period in Kenya’s telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.
He championed initiatives aimed at expanding internet connectivity, improving telecommunications infrastructure and positioning Kenya as a regional information and communication technology hub.
Among the major developments during his tenure was the implementation of the East African Marine System (TEAMS), a submarine fibre-optic cable connecting Mombasa to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
The project significantly improved Kenya’s international internet connectivity and helped lay the foundation for the country’s expanding digital economy.
He also oversaw initiatives involving mobile phone subscriber registration, digital broadcasting preparations and the development of Konza Technology City as part of Kenya’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
However, his ministerial tenure was not without controversy.
He faced criticism from media stakeholders following the enactment of the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act of 2009, which gave the government extensive powers over media operations, including provisions that journalists and media organisations considered restrictive to press freedom.
Following his departure from the Cabinet in 2013, Poghisio was appointed chairman of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), serving between 2013 and 2017.
He subsequently returned to elective politics, this time seeking to represent West Pokot County in the Senate.
In the 2017 General Election, he was elected Senator on a KANU ticket, defeating other contenders in the race for the county’s senatorial position.
His Senate career reached its peak in May 2020 when he was elected Senate Majority Leader, succeeding Kipchumba Murkomen.
He served in the influential position until the end of the 12th Parliament in August 2022, becoming one of the key figures in the management of Senate business and government legislative affairs.
As Majority Leader, he was responsible for coordinating government business in the Upper House, engaging senators on legislative matters and providing leadership during parliamentary debates.
Poghisio also distinguished himself as a frequent contributor to parliamentary proceedings, with thousands of recorded contributions in the National Assembly and Senate throughout his political career.
Despite his long political journey, he failed to secure another elective position after his senatorial term ended in 2022.
His political journey has involved several party affiliations, including KANU, ODM-Kenya and other political formations.
He was also associated with the United Republican Party (URP) before eventually returning to KANU, the party that sponsored his election to the Senate in 2017.
His latest decision to join ODM marks another significant political realignment as he prepares for the 2027 elections.
Poghisio is now eyeing the West Pokot gubernatorial seat, seeking to succeed incumbent Governor Simon Kachapin.
His decision to seek the county’s top seat sets the stage for a potentially competitive contest, with former Governor John Lonyangapuo among the other prominent politicians associated with the race.
His entry into ODM also provides the party with an opportunity to strengthen its political presence in West Pokot and expand its influence in the wider Rift Valley region.
With experience spanning more than three decades in Parliament, government administration, academia and public institutions, Poghisio enters the gubernatorial race with a substantial record in national leadership.
His supporters here in Kacheliba and the wider West Pokot County are likely to point to his experience in government, his contribution to the education sector and his involvement in the development of Kenya’s ICT infrastructure as some of his strongest credentials.
However, his political journey also presents voters with questions about his past leadership record, development achievements and ability to translate his national government experience into effective county leadership.
For Poghisio, the 2027 gubernatorial contest represents an opportunity to return to elective leadership and put his extensive political experience to the test in his home county.
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🗓️ [Daily News Kenya-International@November 4,2026]
