MOMBASA, Kenya — Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Odinga has declared the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya coalition ‘dead’, announcing that the party will formally exit the alliance following what he termed unilateral leadership changes.
Speaking during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa, Oburu said the coalition could not make binding decisions without consulting ODM, which he described as the strongest party within Azimio.
“We left it a long time ago; it is only a formality that we have not performed, which we are going to perform very soon,” Oburu said.
“We are going to exit that moribund organisation called Azimio. We are going to move out.”
Dispute Over Leadership Changes
Oburu’s remarks follow recent changes announced by Azimio chairperson and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The changes included the appointment of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as coalition party leader.
Junet Mohamed was removed as secretary general and replaced with Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, while Philip Kisia was appointed organising secretary following the resignation of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju.
Oburu dismissed the appointments, arguing that ODM was not consulted.
“There is nobody who can make decisions in Azimio without the concurrence of ODM,” he said.
“You cannot pretend to appoint a new leader of Azimio, excluding and bypassing this party. If ODM has not agreed, then there is nothing like a resolution of Azimio.”
He added, “This thing called Azimio, we are Azimio. The majority, the strongest party in Azimio, was ourselves as ODM.”
Coalition Dynamics and Legal Context
Political coalitions in Kenya operate under the Political Parties Act, which requires coalition agreements to outline decision-making structures, dispute resolution mechanisms, and leadership arrangements.
Changes to coalition leadership typically require adherence to internal procedures set out in the agreement deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties.
The unfolding dispute raises questions about the legal and procedural standing of the recent appointments and whether ODM’s exit will trigger formal notification to the Registrar.
Azimio was formed ahead of the 2022 General Election as a broad opposition coalition bringing together several parties under a shared presidential ticket.
Its internal cohesion has faced strain following the election cycle and shifting political alignments.
