ODM rejects Azimio leadership changes, terms coalition council meeting illegal
Uhuru talks on claims of dividing ODM
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Thursday formally rejected changes to the leadership of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition.
It declared resolutions made at a Coalition Council meeting held on Monday, February 2, 2026, illegal and without legal effect.
In a letter addressed to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), ODM’s Oduor Ongwen argued that the meeting purported to effect leadership changes within the coalition — including the position of Secretary-General — in blatant violation of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Deed of Agreement.
ODM cited Article 6(A)(1) of the Deed, which clearly spells out the composition of the Coalition Council and the procedure for appointing or removing its members. According to the party, the provision leaves no ambiguity that such decisions can only be made collectively by the party leaders of the coalition’s constituent parties: Jubilee Party, Orange Democratic Movement, Wiper Democratic Movement, and the authorised representative of the Mwanzo Mpya Caucus.
“The power to appoint or remove members of the Coalition Council, including the Secretary-General, is neither unilateral nor vested in a single party leader, a clique of leaders, nor the Coalition Council acting independently,” ODM stated.
The party further noted that its leader — a key signatory and expressly named constituent under the coalition agreement — was neither informed of nor involved in the meeting that allegedly sanctioned the leadership changes.
On that basis, ODM declared the meeting and its resolutions ultra vires, null, and void, for being in direct contravention of the coalition’s founding agreement.
ODM has now asked the Registrar of Political Parties to suspend and freeze any action or registration arising from the disputed meeting, pending full compliance with the coalition’s Deed of Agreement and the applicable legal framework governing political coalitions.
The latest dispute exposes growing internal tensions within the Azimio coalition as parties jostle for control ahead of key political milestones, with observers warning that unresolved governance disputes could further strain the opposition alliance.
The meeting chaired by former president Uhuru Kenyatta had named Wiper leader Kalanzo Musyoka as the new Azimio leader.
Suba Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi was named Secretary General, while former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia was appointed Executive Director.
The coalition said the decisions have been formally communicated to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) in line with legal requirements.
According to Azimio, the leadership changes were necessitated by evolving political circumstances and the need to strengthen the coalition’s internal coordination and strategic direction.
The Registrar of Political Parties has not issued a response to ODM’s request by the time of publication.