ODM Officially Exits Azimio Coalition as Political Alliances Shift Before 2027 Elections
Nairobi, 11 February 2026
Kenya’s opposition landscape faces dramatic upheaval as ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga confirms his party’s formal departure from the Azimio coalition, declaring it ‘moribund and already dead’. Speaking at ODM’s National Executive Committee meeting in Mombasa on 11 February 2026, Odinga revealed that whilst ODM had effectively left months ago, they are now completing formal exit procedures. The move follows tensions over former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s unilateral appointment of Kalonzo Musyoka as Azimio’s new leader without ODM consultation. As Kenya’s largest opposition party pivots towards potential collaboration with President Ruto’s UDA through their existing broad-based government arrangement, the decision reshapes electoral mathematics ahead of 2027. Internal ODM divisions have emerged, with some leaders opposing the party’s closer ties to the ruling government, setting stage for significant political realignment.
Legal Constraints Drive Formal Exit Process
The announcement represents the culmination of legal complications that previously trapped ODM within the Azimio framework, as detailed in earlier reports about the party’s binding coalition obligations [1]. During the National Executive Committee meeting at PrideInn Hotel Mombasa on 11 February 2026, Oburu Odinga clarified the timeline, stating: “Azimio was dead when ODM left it. It is only a formality which we have not performed, and we are going to perform it very soon. We are going to exit that moribund organization called Azimio” [2]. The formal exit procedures, which had been delayed by constitutional constraints, will now be completed to allow ODM complete freedom in forming new political alliances [2].
Kenyatta’s Unilateral Leadership Changes Trigger Final Break
The decisive break came following former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent restructuring of Azimio leadership without ODM consultation [3]. Kenyatta appointed Kalonzo Musyoka as the coalition’s party leader whilst removing Junet Mohamed as secretary general and replacing him with Suba South MP Caroli Omondi [3]. Philip Kisia was also appointed as organising secretary following former cabinet secretary Raphael Tuju’s resignation [3]. Oburu Odinga rejected these changes categorically, declaring: “There is nobody who can make decisions in Azimio without the concurrence of ODM, and you cannot pretend to appoint a new leader of Azimio, excluding and bypassing this party” [2][3]. He maintained that ODM, as the strongest party within Azimio, should have been consulted before any leadership appointments were made [2][3].
Internal Party Divisions Emerge Over UDA Collaboration
The formal exit announcement has exposed deep divisions within ODM, with notable absences at the crucial Mombasa meeting highlighting internal tensions [2]. Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and third Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Osotsi did not attend the National Executive Committee session on 11 February 2026, continuing a pattern of opposition to the party’s closer ties with President Ruto’s government [2]. Sifuna had previously skipped the party’s Central Committee meeting in Vipingo, Kilifi County, approximately one month before the Mombasa session [2]. Unconfirmed reports suggest the NEC could deliberate on Sifuna’s future in the party amid his vocal opposition to ODM’s collaboration with UDA [2]. External critics have also emerged, with lawyer Saitabao Kanchory challenging ODM leadership on 10 February 2026, asking: “Since the Oburu-led Affordable ODM Limited believes so much in Kasongo, why not just join UDA and leave ODM to those who believe in the founding principles and values of the party” [4].
Strategic Positioning for 2027 Electoral Negotiations
Despite the formal Azimio exit and existing broad-based government arrangement with UDA, Oburu Odinga emphasised that ODM maintains strategic flexibility for 2027 electoral negotiations [5]. Speaking on 11 February 2026, he stated: “We are not in a hurry to say ‘Wantam’ or ‘Tutam’. We are strengthening our party to prep ourselves for negotiations” [5]. The party leader outlined a hierarchical approach to future alliances, explaining: “First, we will start with our current partners, and if we do not agree, we move on to discuss with other formations that are there, and if there are no agreements, we will go forward alone as ODM” [5]. This positioning suggests ODM views its current UDA collaboration as one option among several, rather than a permanent electoral alliance. The party has committed to working with UDA on implementing an agreed 10-point agenda whilst maintaining independent political identity [2]. Addressing internal dissent, Oburu warned party members that despite democratic principles allowing minority voices, “the majority will always have their way” within ODM’s decision-making structures [5].