Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has resigned as the Chairperson of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, setting the stage for a fresh leadership contest within the opposition coalition.
Uhuru’s resignation is expected to trigger changes at the top of the coalition, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Siaya Governor James Orengo among the names being considered as possible successors.
The development comes amid renewed efforts within Azimio to reorganise its leadership and strengthen its political strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Uhuru, who played a central role in the formation of Azimio and its 2022 presidential campaign, has remained a key figure in Kenya’s opposition politics despite largely keeping a low profile in active party politics.
The former President assumed the Azimio chairmanship after the coalition was formed, providing a unifying figure for the parties that backed Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in the 2022 election.
Gachagua, who served as Deputy President under President William Ruto before falling out with the Kenya Kwanza administration, has since positioned himself as a leading figure in the opposition political space.
Orengo, a veteran politician and long-serving member of ODM, is also viewed as an experienced option given his extensive political and legal background.
The choice of Uhuru’s successor is therefore expected to have significant implications for the coalition’s future direction, particularly as political parties and leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.
Azimio is now expected to undertake consultations before settling on a new chairperson, with the choice likely to shape the coalition’s leadership structure and electoral strategy.
The leadership transition could also influence ongoing efforts to forge a broader opposition alliance ahead of the next General Election.
