Digital Communication Strategist Pauline Njoroge / FILEPolitical strategist Pauline Njoroge has called for a lean leadership structure in the emerging opposition coalition, arguing that broad participation should not result in an oversized decision-making organ.
Njoroge said every political party that joins the coalition should have a role in shaping its direction, proposing the establishment of a broad Coalition Parties Council bringing together leaders of all constituent parties.
She said the council should be inclusive and reflect the diversity of the emerging opposition alliance. However, Njoroge argued that not every party leader should automatically become a principal.
“Every party in the opposition has earned the legitimate right to participate in shaping the emerging coalition. That participation should be institutionalised through a broad Coalition Parties Council, bringing together the leaders of all constituent parties," Njoroge said.
"This council should be as inclusive and diverse as the opposition itself. But inclusion does not mean that every party leader must automatically become a principal."
Njoroge said membership of the top leadership should be based on demonstrable national influence and a solid regional support base, rather than simply ownership of a political party.
“The coalition’s top decision-making organ must remain lean, strategic and capable of responding quickly to political developments. Its membership should be based not merely on ownership of a political party, but on demonstrable national influence and a solid regional support base.”
She proposed that the principal-level leadership comprise Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
“Each commands a significant political constituency and brings to the table the electoral weight necessary to shape a viable national coalition,” Njoroge said.
She drew a comparison with the United Nations system, where all member states participate through the General Assembly, while urgent and focused matters are handled by the 15-member Security Council.
Njoroge said the same principle could guide the opposition coalition, with broad participation providing legitimacy while a smaller executive structure allows for faster decision-making.
“The underlying principle is simple: broad participation provides legitimacy, while a smaller executive structure provides agility. A successful coalition must achieve both,” she said.
The proposal comes amid ongoing consultations among opposition leaders seeking to build a broader political alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Recent meetings have involved figures including Sifuna, Gachagua, Kalonzo and Matiang’i as opposition formations explore ways of working together.
Njoroge said the opposition should focus on creating an inclusive coalition while maintaining a lean, credible and effective centre of leadership.
“The opposition does not need an endless table of principals. It needs an inclusive coalition supported by a lean, credible and effective centre of leadership,” she said.
On Monday, Kalonzo announced that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition unanimously agreed to change its name to the Ukombozi Alliance, marking a new phase for the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo said the decision had been reached by the coalition’s leadership, signalling a rebranding of the political outfit.
“After today, even this podium will change because the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has this day, September 21, 2026, unanimously agreed to rebrand and change the name to Ukombozi Alliance,” Kalonzo said.
The announcement comes days after Kalonzo said Azimio was undertaking a comprehensive rebranding of its structures, policy platform and public engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The coalition had earlier resolved to reorganise its structures and expand engagement with other opposition parties as part of preparations for the 2027 election.
The latest change places the coalition's rebranding at the centre of ongoing efforts by opposition parties to reorganise and establish broader political alliances ahead of the polls.
Kalonzo said all necessary steps arising from the decision would be undertaken expeditiously, urging Kenyans to take note of the coalition’s new direction.
