Siaya Governor James Orengo has replaced former President Uhuru Kenyatta as chairman of the Ukombozi Alliance Coalition Council, in the latest change to the opposition coalition's leadership structure.
Sources indicate that Uhuru has already handed over the chairmanship to Orengo following a meeting of the coalition's top leadership on Monday.
The change comes only shortly after opposition parties within the former Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition unanimously agreed to rebrand the alliance as the Ukombozi Alliance.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka had announced the rebranding on Monday, saying the decision had received the approval of all parties within the coalition.
“After today, this podium will change because the Azimio la Umoja coalition has today unanimously agreed to rebrand and change its name to the Ukombozi Alliance,” Kalonzo said.
Uhuru initially appointed chairman
At the time the rebranding was announced, Kalonzo said Uhuru would serve as chairman of the newly named alliance and would convene a Jubilee Party meeting to facilitate the decisions required to complete the transition.
“Let the country know that we are on the move. The coalition chair is Uhuru Kenyatta, and tomorrow, he is convening a Jubilee Party meeting to make the necessary decisions, which will be communicated to the Ukombozi Alliance,” Kalonzo said.
However, the latest changes have now placed Orengo at the helm of the coalition council, with Uhuru handing over the leadership mantle.
The development marks another adjustment to the opposition coalition's structure as its constituent parties seek to establish a new political identity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo leads rebranded coalition
Kalonzo remains at the centre of the Ukombozi Alliance's political leadership following the decision to transform Azimio into the new formation.
The coalition is seeking to reorganise its structures, strengthen cooperation among member parties and engage other opposition formations as it prepares for the 2027 polls.
The rebranding comes days after Kalonzo announced that Azimio was undertaking a broader overhaul of its structures, policy platform and public engagement strategy.
The coalition has also been seeking to expand its engagement with other opposition parties in an effort to build a wider political alliance capable of challenging President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration in the next election.
Ukombozi Alliance prepares for 2027
The latest leadership change places the reorganisation of the Ukombozi Alliance at the centre of the opposition's preparations for the 2027 General Election.
With Orengo now chairing the coalition council and Kalonzo providing political leadership, the alliance faces the task of consolidating its member parties while reaching out to other political formations.
The leadership changes also come as other opposition groupings, including Linda Mwananchi, continue consultations over their own political structures and presidential ambitions.
Kalonzo has maintained that the necessary steps arising from the rebranding will be undertaken expeditiously as the coalition moves to establish itself under its new identity.
The Ukombozi Alliance will now have to translate the rebranding and leadership changes into a broader political strategy capable of uniting its constituent parties and attracting additional partners ahead of the 2027 election.
