Kenya's Azimio Opposition Coalition Purges Leaders Who Joined Government
Nairobi, 10 March 2026
Kenya’s main opposition alliance has expelled over a dozen senior figures, including parliamentary leader Junet Mohammed, in a dramatic shake-up targeting politicians who accepted positions in President Ruto’s government. The purge removes Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, and James Wandayi from coalition councils after they joined the ruling administration. Suba South MP Caroli Omondi replaces Mohammed as parliamentary group leader in the most significant restructuring of Kenya’s opposition since February’s leadership changes that saw Kalonzo Musyoka replace Raila Odinga as coalition head. The move signals fierce internal battles over collaboration with Ruto’s government, with the Orange Democratic Movement now considering abandoning Azimio entirely to form a new alliance with the ruling party ahead of 2027 elections.
Sweeping Coalition Purge Targets Government Collaborators
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition announced on Monday, 9 March 2026, the removal of prominent leaders who had accepted positions in President William Ruto’s government or joined competing political formations [1][2]. The coalition’s joint meeting of the Coalition Council and National Coalition Executive Council resulted in the expulsion of Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Abdi Noor Omar Farah, and former parliamentary group leader Junet Mohamed from the Azimio Coalition Council [2][3]. Additionally, eleven leaders were dropped from the National Coalition Executive Council, including Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya and James Opiyo Wandayi, alongside MPs Adan Keynan, David Pkosing, Mishi Mboko, Abdul Haji, Isabella Wangechi Githinji, Caroline Wanjiru Karugu, and Solomon Kuria [2][3].
Parliamentary Leadership Changes Amid Coalition Tensions
Coalition leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced that Junet Mohamed’s removal as leader of the Azimio Coalition Parliamentary Group in the National Assembly was due to his support for the government, which conflicted with the coalition’s opposition stance against President Ruto’s administration [1]. Suba South MP Caroli Omondi was appointed as Mohamed’s replacement with immediate effect [1][2][4]. Musyoka stated that the meeting ‘resolved to terminate, with immediate effect, the appointment of Junet Mohamed as the leader of the Azimio Coalition Parliamentary Group in the National Assembly, and appointed Caroli Omondi with immediate effect’ [1]. The coalition emphasised that individuals who no longer met membership requirements had ceased to hold leadership positions [4].
February Leadership Restructuring Sets Stage for Current Purge
The March purge follows significant leadership changes announced in February 2026, when Uhuru Kenyatta revealed a major reorganisation of Azimio’s top leadership [1][3]. During this earlier restructuring, Kalonzo Musyoka replaced Raila Odinga as party leader, whilst Caroli Omondi took over the Secretary General role from Junet Mohamed, and Philip Kisia was appointed Executive Director [1][3]. These February changes were described by the coalition as part of ‘a deliberate effort to reposition and revitalise the coalition’ with the goal to ‘foster greater cohesion, effectiveness and unity as the coalition advances its agenda for the nation’ [3]. The appointments were attributed to ‘evolving political circumstances’ within Kenya’s political landscape [3].
ODM Exit Threatens Coalition Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is now considering exiting the Azimio coalition entirely and potentially forming an alliance with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) before the next elections [1]. This development signals deepening fractures within Kenya’s main opposition bloc, as key ODM figures including Hassan Joho have already joined the government. President Ruto has dismissed Azimio’s electoral ambitions, stating: ‘You have heard they are reviving the Azimio Coalition to compete with us in the 2027 general election. If I was able to defeat them in the last general election when they had the backing of the state, what makes them think they can defeat me now?’ [1]. The coalition has announced plans to reveal replacements for the expelled leaders as part of an expanded coalition structure, though no timeline has been specified [3][4].