Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka Speaking during a town hall meeting with Kenyans living in Baltimore, Maryland, USA on February 8, 2026. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has defended sweeping leadership changes within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance, declaring the coalition’s restructuring as necessary to safeguard its integrity and strengthen opposition politics in Kenya.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with Kenyans living in Baltimore, Maryland, Musyoka accused unnamed coalition insiders of betraying the alliance’s founding ideals, insisting the recent reorganisation was aimed at restoring accountability and consolidating Azimio’s position as a formidable political force.
Musyoka, who now assumes a leading role in the coalition following the demise of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, said Azimio could not afford to accommodate individuals whose actions undermined the alliance’s objectives.
He claimed that the coalition’s Secretary General had failed to convene crucial meetings despite repeated calls from senior coalition leaders, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who chairs the Azimio Council.
According to Musyoka, Kenyatta was forced to intervene by instructing Azimio Executive Director Raphael Tuju to convene a summit meeting, where significant leadership and structural changes were adopted.
“You cannot have your cake and eat it. You must either be in Azimio or in Kenya Kwanza,” Musyoka told the gathering, arguing that Kenya’s political system is constitutionally anchored on multi-party democracy and requires clear ideological and political distinctions between rival coalitions.
Musyoka further revealed that tensions within Azimio intensified following a Court of Appeal ruling that declared Azimio the majority party in the National Assembly. He maintained that the ruling remains valid and should have paved the way for Azimio leaders, including Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Suba South MP Robert Mbui, to assume majority leadership roles in Parliament.
He alleged that despite internal directives encouraging Azimio leaders to claim the parliamentary majority positions, the opportunity was not pursued, prompting disciplinary and leadership restructuring measures within the coalition.
As part of the changes, Musyoka confirmed that Junet Mohamed had been removed as Azimio’s Secretary General and replaced by Caroli Omondi, describing the move as part of broader reforms designed to rejuvenate the coalition.
The Wiper leader also linked Azimio’s internal reforms to recommendations made during the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) talks, which he co-chaired. He noted that one of the key issues addressed during the dialogue was the need to strengthen political party integrity and curb external interference.
Musyoka accused President William Ruto’s administration of attempting to weaken opposition parties, citing what he described as sustained efforts to destabilise Jubilee Party, which he noted has since been reclaimed by former President Kenyatta as party leader, with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i serving as deputy party leader.
He also criticised the current government for allegedly delaying the gazettement of the newly adopted Azimio leadership changes, warning that the coalition would pursue alternative political and legal measures to enforce its decisions.
Despite recent internal divisions, including the departure of Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua following disagreements over what Musyoka termed the “broad-based administration”, he insisted that Azimio remains intact and continues to attract new political allies.
Musyoka announced that several political formations, including the Democratic Change Party (DCP), the Sikiza Ground movement, and former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi's Democratic Party are in the process of joining the coalition.
He emphasised that Azimio remains anchored on its founding member parties, including Jubilee, Wiper Democratic Movement, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and the Patriotic Front, adding that the coalition is focused on expanding its political base ahead of future electoral contests.
Musyoka told diaspora Kenyans that the coalition’s restructuring is intended to revitalise its reform agenda and strengthen its oversight role, promising that Azimio would continue championing democratic governance and accountability.
“The mission now is to bring in progressive minds that will help redeem our country,” he said.
