NAIROBI, Kenya – The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has announced a new identity, with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka declaring that the opposition coalition will henceforth be known as the Ukombozi Alliance.
Kalonzo made the announcement on Monday, September 21, during a press briefing attended by several coalition leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 General Election.
“Moving forward, this alliance shall no longer be called the Azimio La Umoja Coalition; we shall be called the Ukombozi Alliance,” Kalonzo said.
He said the new political banner would be guided by the philosophy of “One Term, One Team, One Coalition.”
Kalonzo Announces New Ukombozi Alliance
The announcement marks another stage in the reorganisation of the coalition, which has been reviewing its structures and political identity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kalonzo’s office had earlier said the coalition was undertaking a comprehensive rebranding involving its structures, policy platform and public engagement. The move was endorsed by Azimio’s Joint Council and National Executive Committee in August.
The coalition had resolved to reorganise its structures and explore the admission or engagement of additional political parties and formations as it sought to broaden its political reach.
New Coalition to Engage Jubilee
Kalonzo said the Ukombozi Alliance would begin consultations with Jubilee Party from Tuesday, September 22.
He said the meeting would focus on determining the way forward and addressing key political and organisational issues facing the coalition.
The planned engagement comes after former President Uhuru Kenyatta indicated that he would relinquish his position as Jubilee Party leader following a High Court ruling concerning retired presidents holding formal political party leadership positions.
Kalonzo had previously said Jubilee’s succession was a matter for the party’s own organs, while the coalition would separately consider the implications of the judgment on Uhuru’s position as chairman of the Azimio Council.
Uhuru’s Role in the Coalition Under Review
The High Court ruling delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi restricted retired presidents from holding formal political party leadership positions beyond six months after leaving office.
The judgment did not bar retired presidents from belonging to political parties or participating in political activities.
Kalonzo subsequently said Azimio would be guided by the judgment, the Political Parties Act, the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, the coalition’s constitution and its Deed of Agreement when considering any changes arising from the ruling.
The question of Uhuru’s role within the coalition therefore forms part of the wider organisational changes accompanying the rebranding.
Azimio to Hand Over Political Instruments
Kalonzo also announced that the existing Azimio la Umoja instruments of power would formally be handed over to the new Ukombozi Alliance in the coming days.
The handover is expected to mark the practical transition from the old coalition identity to the new political formation.
Details of the new alliance’s final organisational structure, including the distribution of leadership positions and the formal status of its constituent parties, are expected to emerge as the transition progresses.
Opposition Coalition Undergoing Major Reorganisation
The rebranding follows months of discussions within opposition circles over the political vehicle to use ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In August, Azimio announced plans to reorganise its structures and broaden its membership. The coalition said it had admitted Fred Matiang’i, Peter Munya and Lenny Kivuti to its Council and planned to engage other political formations, including DAP-K, Umoja Na Maendeleo, the People’s Democratic Party and the Democratic Party.
Kalonzo was also mandated to engage other political formations, including the Democracy for Citizens Party associated with Rigathi Gachagua and the People’s Liberation Party associated with Martha Karua, among others.
The changes reflect efforts by several opposition parties to establish a broader political arrangement ahead of the next election.
Ukombozi Name Also Emerges in Separate Political Move
The new name should not be confused with a separate Ukombozi Party that has recently been linked to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
The Star reported on September 21 that Sifuna is expected to unveil his own political party on October 1 and that the vehicle is expected to use the Ukombozi name.
That development involves the Linda Mwananchi political movement and is separate from Kalonzo’s announcement concerning the Ukombozi Alliance, the new identity announced for the former Azimio coalition.
The overlap in names could therefore become a point of political and organisational interest as different opposition formations position themselves for 2027.
New Alliance Prepares for 2027
The Ukombozi Alliance now faces the task of defining its leadership structures, constituent parties, policy platform and electoral strategy.
Kalonzo’s announcement also comes as opposition leaders continue consultations aimed at creating broader political cooperation.
The coalition’s next steps are expected to include the planned Jubilee meeting, the formal handover of Azimio’s instruments and further decisions on the alliance’s organisational structure.
For now, Kalonzo has positioned “One Term, One Team, One Coalition” as the guiding political message for the new Ukombozi Alliance as Kenya’s political parties enter the final stages of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
