Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Tuesday replaced veteran politician Raila Odinga as leader of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition.
Musyoka and other opposition partner party leaders made the announcement at an event attended by East African leaders on the day Odinga was formally announced as chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC) at the Presidential Palace in Nairobi.
The meeting to oust Raila was attended by Jubilee Party secretary-general Jeremiah Gioni, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and ODM’s Embakasi Eastern constituency MP Babu Owino. Owino has been accused by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni of meddling in the neighbouring country’s affairs because of his ties to Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine. Owino was speaking at an event for Raila at the Presidential Villa in Nairobi.

“I am not here today to demonstrate that I am the official opposition leader,” Musioca said.
Wamalwa made similar remarks, saying Musyoka had taken over the reins of the coalition government in Odinga’s absence.
“There is no vacuum in Azimio. Kalonzo is the second highest ranking member. He will automatically take over the leadership of the coalition government,” Wamalwa said.
In a joint press statement, coalition leaders wished Odinga success in his continental election campaign and assured the nation that the opposition would continue to push for good governance.
“While our leadership embarks on a new chapter, the Azimio Coalition remains steadfast in its commitment and common goal to address the concerns of our people.
“We will advance our people’s agenda for socio-economic and political transformation and will always build on the foundations laid by our leaders,” the coalition said in a statement.
Some senior members of the coalition government have in recent weeks been pushing for a radical reshuffle of the leadership in what is seen as a move aimed at Odinga.
The campaign for a change in leadership was led by Musyoka, Wamalwa, Peter Munya of the Party of National Unity (PNU) and Jubilee Party secretary-general Jeremiah Kioni.
“Raila says he is going to the African Union but he cannot go with the opposition. He has brought his people into government but he cannot bring the opposition into government,” Kioni said in a recent interview with The Nation newspaper.
“If you are in government you cannot remain in opposition. He (Raila) cannot be leader of the opposition and leader of government at the same time. It is only fair for him to allow us to reconstitute the coalition. He is only donating his supporters to Ruto so that he can remain in power,” Kioni said.
President William Ruto appointed two of Odinga’s deputies, Hassan Joho (mining and blue economy) and Wycliffe Oparanya (cooperatives and small and medium enterprises), to his cabinet, along with ODM chairman John Mbadi (finance and economic planning) and Opiyo Wandai (cabinet secretary for energy).
Wamalwa said Odinga’s AUC candidacy meant he would be unable to take part in local politics and it would be natural for the coalition to review its leadership going forward.
Musioca and Wamalwa are already vying to lead a coalition government ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
With Odinga’s allies joining the government, him running for the AUC and narcissistic leader Martha Karua announcing her intention to break away from Azimio, Musyoka became the most senior politician in the coalition. He declared he was ready to take on Dr Ruto in the next election under Azimio’s government.
“Mr Ruto knows I am his main opponent in 2027. He previously sarcastically mocked me while addressing a rally in Homa Bay. It will be no laughing matter when we go head to head in 2027,” Mr Musioca said recently.
Both Musyoka and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa have announced their plans to run in the next presidential election, with sources saying the two would run together, with Musyoka as party leader and Wamalwa as deputy leader.
But Siaya Governor James Orengo said the leadership of the coalition after Odinga’s departure would depend on the strength of each party in the coalition.
“The next leader of Azimio is a matter of discussion but it must reflect the party’s strength within the party. That is enshrined in the rules of procedure as well as Azimio’s protocol. ODM is undoubtedly a major shareholder in the coalition government,” Orengo said.
“The rules and procedures of the National Assembly and the Senate, as well as the nominations for seats in both houses, will depend on the strength of each party in the coalition,” he added.