Uhuru names Kalonzo new boss
The Azimio Council has officially appointed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the new head of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition Party.
This decision, backed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, seems to hint that Kalonzo might be the United Opposition’s candidate for the presidential race in next year’s general election.
In 2022, the late Raila Odinga, who was the leader of the Azimio Party, served as the coalition’s presidential candidate.
In a recent development on Tuesday, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi was named the new secretary general.
Additionally, former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia has stepped in as Azimio’s executive director, succeeding former CS Raphael Tuju.
Tuju had announced his resignation just hours before these new appointments were made public.
Until his passing on October 15 last year, Raila was at the helm of the Azimio Party, with Suna East MP Junet Mohamed serving as secretary general.
This reorganization appears to be a strategic move to keep the Azimio framework intact, even with the presence of the United Opposition coalition, which includes strong members from both Kalonzo’s Wiper and Uhuru’s Jubilee parties.
According to a message sent to newsrooms, the recent changes were made during a joint session of the Azimio Council and the National Executive Committee (NEC), which was convened by Uhuru on Monday.
“Under the leadership of Uhuru Kenyatta, the fourth President of Kenya and chairman of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, a joint session of the council and the NEC took place on February 2, 2026,” the message states.
“During this meeting, several key leadership appointments were approved and have been officially communicated to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).”
“These appointments have become necessary due to shifting political circumstances, which require timely and strategic enhancements in leadership.”
However, Uhuru’s latest actions have sparked questions about his true political motives.
By promoting Kalonzo within Azimio, Uhuru appears to be treading a fine line, raising further inquiries about his long-term plans involving former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
This development comes just days after Uhuru and Kalonzo traveled together to Nigeria, a trip that insiders now view as part of a larger strategy of political realignments happening behind the scenes.
Analysts are saying that the situation is sending mixed signals, especially since he hasn’t shown much enthusiasm for the United Opposition led by Rigathi Gachagua.
Political analyst Martin Andati believes that promoting the Wiper leader within Azimio is a clear indication of Uhuru’s plans for 2027.
He pointed out that reviving the Azimio la Umoja structure and placing Kalonzo at the helm suggests that Uhuru is backing the Wiper leader instead of Matiang’i.
“Kalonzo is the candidate; they’ve conducted numerous internal opinion polls. Previously, Uhuru was with Kalonzo in Nigeria, working to connect him with international networks and gather resources,” Andati explained.
He emphasized that this move is less about tidying up the party and more about subtly forming a coalition around Kalonzo.
Andati also mentioned that the revival of Azimio is strategically designed to attract ODM leaders who are firmly against President William Ruto but are growing uncomfortable with the Gachagua-led opposition setup.
“There are parts of the ODM that don’t want to align with Gachagua, and that’s the group he’s trying to win over by revitalizing Azimio,” he said.
Uhuru, he noted, is perceived as providing an alternative political home for these leaders as the succession politics heat up.
Some ODM leaders who oppose Ruto’s re-election include deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, party secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino (the MP for Embakasi East), and Caleb Amisi (the MP for Saboti).
As the 2027 politics begin to take shape, Uhuru’s latest manoeuvre suggests the former president is far from done influencing the country’s political direction.
Uhuru names Kalonzo new boss
