NAIROBI, Kenya – Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has urged opposition leaders to build strong grassroots structures rather than rely on large political rallies, saying lessons from Raila Odinga’s political career should inform preparations for the 2027 General Election.
Amisi argued that large crowds alone were not enough to translate political support into electoral success, and called on opposition groups to organise their supporters into effective grassroots networks.
“The reasons Baba missed the presidency despite decades of massive rallies are a little bit of disorganisation by his hedgemen,” Amisi said in a statement.
His remarks amount to Amisi’s assessment of the factors behind Raila’s unsuccessful presidential bids and were not presented with supporting evidence establishing organisational weaknesses as the cause.
Amisi calls for grassroots organisation
The Saboti lawmaker said opposition leaders should learn from previous political experiences and avoid repeating what he described as organisational mistakes.
“We must learn from history or risk repeating the same mistake. Those who will suffer out of our ignorance is the future generation whose hopes and aspirations we carry!” he said.
Amisi argued that opposition groups already have a sizeable support base but need effective structures to translate that support into political influence.
“Let us organise our support base. The numbers are massive. They just need to be organised with proper grassroots structures,” he said.
PM Party steps up mobilisation
Amisi’s comments come as opposition-linked formations intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The People’s Renaissance Movement (PM), the political party associated with Amisi, has been conducting mobilisation activities in different parts of the country.
The party held its first major rally in Tharaka-Nithi on September 6 as part of a wider programme to establish its presence across counties. Planned engagements have included Taita-Taveta, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Thika, Makueni, Busia, Vihiga, Nandi, Kakamega, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia.
The PM was formally launched in August, with Amisi positioning it around economic liberation, justice and empowerment ahead of the 2027 election.
Amisi says Raila taught organisation
The Saboti MP has previously referred to Raila’s political experience when explaining his own approach to building the new party.
“Baba taught us how to be organised, not to be confused elements in town. We are now ready to meet Wananchi in our new house,” Amisi said in an earlier statement.
The comments came as his party prepared to move from internal organisation to nationwide grassroots mobilisation.
PM seeks nationwide footprint
The People’s Renaissance Movement has said it wants to establish structures across the country ahead of the 2027 election.
During the party’s launch, its officials said it had established a presence across all 47 counties and was expanding its membership base. The party said at the time that more than 5,000 members had been registered across 26 counties.
Amisi has also said PM is open to working with other political parties but that prospective alliances must be based on shared values and principles, including national unity, youth empowerment, women’s participation, the fight against corruption and respect for the Constitution.
Call for opposition unity
Amisi’s latest remarks also come amid efforts by opposition groups to consolidate their support before the next general election.
He has separately called for opposition forces to prioritise a broader political agenda rather than individual interests.
His emphasis on grassroots organisation reflects the approach being pursued by his own party, which has been moving beyond national political messaging towards county-level and local engagements.
Opposition prepares for 2027
With political parties and movements increasingly organising across the country, Amisi said opposition leaders should focus on building structures capable of sustaining political mobilisation beyond major rallies.
His message is that large crowds need to be backed by organised networks at the grassroots if opposition groups are to convert public support into electoral activity in 2027.
