MP Amisi’s PM party eyes State House, leaves door open for opposition unity

Peoples Renaissance Movement (PM) Party leader Caleb Amisi speaking to the press at a Garissa hotel./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

People’s Renaissance Movement (PM) Party leader Caleb Amisi has declared his outfit’s intention to compete for the presidency in 2027.

This, while signalling its willingness to work with other opposition parties to challenge President William Ruto.

Speaking in Garissa town on Saturday during the homecoming celebration of Malyun Abdi Farah, the party’s director of campaigns, the Saboti MP said the party was determined to build a national political movement capable of producing Kenya’s next president.

“We did not come here to joke. We have come to take over. We are here to sell our new political idea to the people and build a party through which a son or daughter from this region can one day become President of Kenya,” Amisi said.

The two-term MP, who was elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, said the party would field its own presidential candidate but remained open to discussions on a joint opposition candidate.

He cited the 2002 General Election, when Raila Odinga rallied behind Mwai Kibaki under the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), helping end KANU’s 39-year rule.

Amisi said opposition leaders should draw lessons from that arrangement and prioritise national interests over individual ambitions as they prepare for the 2027 elections.

“We also want to make it clear that the PM Party was formed to send President William Ruto home in the 2027 elections. We are not joking about our determination to remove him from office,” he said.

“Raila Odinga demonstrated selflessness when he rallied behind Mwai Kibaki in 2002. We must learn from that example and put the country first.”

Amisi said the PM Party was willing to work with ODM if the party upheld the principles and democratic values associated with the late Raila Odinga.

He argued that ODM’s future would depend on how its leaders managed the party, adding that any partnership would require shared political principles and a common vision for the country.

“ODM remains an important political institution, and its future will depend on how its leaders manage it. If they uphold strong principles, the party will remain strong, and it can work with the PM Party,” he said.

However, he warned that the new party would not enter into an alliance with ODM if it abandoned Raila’s political ideals.

“If ODM abandons Raila Odinga’s principles, we will not be able to work together. We are ready to work with any political party that shares our principles, ideology and vision for the country,” he said.

Amisi said the PM Party was founded by young people and would focus on fighting tribalism, corruption, unemployment and rising public debt, while promoting national unity and respect for the Constitution.

“The PM Party was not bought. It was formed on the same principles that inspired ODM, and that makes us different,” he said.

He urged young Kenyans to embrace ideological politics, arguing that political parties should advance public interests rather than serve individual ambitions.

Amisi also appealed to Raila’s former supporters in North Eastern to consider joining the new party, presenting it as an alternative political home for those who had backed the former opposition leader.

He said the region had maintained a political relationship with Raila over the years and that his death had left some supporters uncertain about their political direction.

The Saboti MP said the PM Party wanted to carry forward the political ideals associated with Raila and give residents an opportunity to participate in national leadership.

“As children of Baba, you know very well that Caleb Amisi and other leaders of this new party are sons and daughters of Raila Odinga. We learnt from Raila’s school of politics, and I was elected on an ODM ticket. We have come to tell them that Baba may have left us, but his children are still here, and they have taken up the mantle,” he said.

He specifically appealed to former supporters in Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Isiolo to join the party.

“To all Baba’s supporters in North Eastern, including those in Mandera, Garissa, Wajir and Isiolo, look no further. Baba’s son is here, and the name is the PM Party,” he said.

Amisi added that the party hoped to attract candidates seeking election to the National Assembly, county assemblies and women representative positions.

He described the outfit as a platform through which young people could pursue political leadership and challenge barriers to participation in national politics.

The party leader also criticised the reported arrest of young people in North Eastern, warning that political affiliation should not be used as a basis for intimidation or suspicion of criminal activity.

He cited the case of a young man whose matter is before the courts, saying the party would stand with him after receiving information that he had been arrested following the arrival of an opposition leader in the region.

“Kenya is a democratic country where citizens are free to express themselves and join any registered political party of their choice. We want the government to respect the freedom of association of the people of North Eastern, particularly the young people,” he said.

Amisi also condemned what he described as the stereotyping of residents of North Eastern as terrorism suspects, calling for an end to the practice.

“How can you arrest a young man and label him an al-Shabaab member? The habit of branding every person from North Eastern an al-Shabaab suspect must end with our generation,” he said.

He said the party would seek answers from relevant authorities and demand accountability over alleged arrests linked to the exercise of democratic rights.

Malyun echoed the concerns, saying fear of victimisation had discouraged some young people from attending her homecoming celebration in Garissa.

She argued that Kenyans should not face arrest simply because they oppose the government or support a different political movement.

Malyun said the situation was particularly painful to her as a mother and political leader, adding that young people should be free to participate in public affairs without intimidation.

“Today, many young people who would have wished to attend our function stayed away for fear of victimisation. This pains me deeply, both as a mother and as a leader,” she said.

She challenged the government to focus its security operations on crimes affecting residents instead of allegedly targeting young people over their political affiliations.

“The government should stop the arbitrary arrest of innocent young people who are merely exercising their democratic rights. Instead, it should pursue those who are terrorising residents, robbing them of their valuables and stabbing them. These are the criminals the government should be going after,” she said.

Malyun Abdi Farah, the director of campaigns Peoples Renaissance Movement speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Peoples Renaissance Movement (PM) Party leader Caleb Amisi with  members after the meeting. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Peoples Renaissance Movement (PM) Party leader Caleb Amisi planting a tree./STEPHEN ASTARIKO