Uhuru–Kalonzo axis signals parliamentary shake-up as ODM rejects Azimio changes

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s faction within the Azimio coalition is signalling imminent changes to the opposition’s parliamentary leadership.

The move could deepen the cracks in the outfit even as ODM formally protests what it terms unilateral alterations to the coalition’s top structure.

The looming shake-up comes days after Azimio, following a council meeting chaired by Uhuru, announced changes to its leadership.

Uhuru replaced late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with Musyoka as the coalition’s party leader.

The meeting also named Suba South MP Caroli Omondi as secretary-general, replacing Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, pending ratification by the Registrar of Political Parties.

However, ODM has rejected the changes, arguing they were effected in total disregard of the Azimio Deed of Agreement.

In a letter to Registrar John Lorionokou, ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen said the party leader of ODM—an expressly named and key constituent party—was neither consulted nor involved in the purported decisions.

“It is our considered position that the meeting and its resolutions were ultra vires, in contravention of the express provisions of the Deed of Agreement, and are therefore null and void,” Ong’wen said.

ODM further requested the registrar to suspend and freeze the implementation of any outcomes of the meeting pending full compliance with the coalition agreement and the applicable legal framework.

Despite the protest, the newly unveiled Azimio leadership is already laying the ground for possible radical changes in Parliament.

Speaking to The Star days after his appointment, Omondi said the coalition would convene a parliamentary group (PG) meeting immediately after the registrar ratifies the leadership changes.

He said the PG would assess the “effectiveness and performance” of the current Azimio leadership in Parliament.

The statement can widely be interpreted as a warning shot to lawmakers perceived to be sympathetic to President William Ruto’s administration.

“The leadership of any coalition in Parliament is decided at the PG. That is why we will immediately convene one to assess the effectiveness of the coalition leadership,” Omondi said.

He added that the changes would be made if members deemed it necessary.

Currently, Junet—who was removed as Azimio secretary-general—serves as the National Assembly Minority Leader.

He belongs to an ODM faction that has openly supported President Ruto’s re-election bid, a stance believed to have influenced his removal by Azimio.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, the Minority Chief Whip, has also expressed support for the broad-based political arrangement between ODM and President Ruto’s UDA party.

In the Senate, Narok's Ledama Olekina and his Kilifi counterpart Stewart Madzayo serve as Minority Whip and Minority Leader respectively.

Both have leaned towards the broad-based arrangement and could be affected should Azimio’s PG opt to purge lawmakers backing the President.

However, ODM remains a formidable force within Azimio, boasting the highest number of MPs in both the National Assembly and the Senate.

Party insiders argue this numerical strength makes ODM the coalition’s anchor, complicating any attempt to restructure parliamentary leadership without its buy-in.

The unfolding standoff now sets the stage for a high-stakes political contest within Azimio, with the registrar’s decision and the impending PG meeting expected to determine the future shape of the opposition in Parliament.