Azimio reveals plans to rebrand, include more opposition parties

United Opposition leaders under the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition umbrella have resolved to rebrand the political outfit into a more inclusive opposition coalition party.

Speaking at the SKM Command Centre in Karen on Thursday, Azimio Secretary General Caroli Omondi said the decision followed a meeting held by Joint Azimio Council and National Executive Council (NEC) members within the coalition, adding that the move would strengthen the coalition’s position ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He noted that the meeting also evaluated applications from political parties that had expressed interest in joining the coalition. 

The council and NEC approved the applications, paving the way for the parties to formally join the Azimio coalition.

"We had normal housekeeping issues to look at the options of rebranding," Omondi stated. 

Further, the coalition hit out at President William Ruto over his stance on the closure of Tata Chemicals and foreign nationals doing business in Kenya.

Describing the President as a confused and inconsistent leader, the opposition leaders vowed to remain united, win the 2027 General Election and provide the country with what they termed a better alternative.

The leaders also defended retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying he is free to associate with and support any political formation he chooses.

The leaders accused President Ruto of undermining regional integration by ordering foreign nationals to leave certain businesses and scaring away investors through his directive on Tata Chemicals.

“Apart from all the many mistakes we have been dealing with, including flip-flopping about Tata and university funding, he is very clear that he doesn’t want to have any integration within the East African Community,” Kalonzo Musyoka, the Azimio party leader, stated.

“As a country, we want to say those were personal actions by the President, and we encourage Tata to stand firm and negotiate or renegotiate with the government,” Omondi added. 

Kalonzo, who met Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna earlier, insisted that the opposition is united and prepared to challenge President Ruto in 2027.

“The United Alternative Government is ready and able. We will continue those consultations. I’m sure you have heard Riggy G making similar statements. None of us is willing to go backwards,” Kalonzo remarked. 

The leaders also defended retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, who chairs the Azimio Council, saying he has the freedom to associate with and support any political side he chooses.

“He has the freedom to associate and even to support whoever he feels like. He is not going to be gagged by anybody,” David Murathe, a politician and close Uhuru ally, stated.

The Azimio leaders also called on the police to maintain peace during Linda Mwananchi political rallies in Nairobi this weekend.

“This weekend, we don’t want to see what we saw in Homa Bay unfolding here. We expect police to rain down on goonism,” Eugene Wamalwa, the DAP-K party leader, stated.

Meanwhile, Azimio is taking its political campaign to Garissa and Tana River counties as the opposition coalition steps up mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.