Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga declared the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party “dead and buried,” signalling the party’s imminent formal withdrawal.

Speaking on Wednesday, February 11, during the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa, Oburu sharply criticised former President Uhuru Kenyatta for naming Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as Azimio’s coalition leader without consulting ODM.

He maintained that as the majority party in the coalition, ODM’s concurrence was mandatory in any major decision.

“ODM was the biggest party in Azimio. There is no one who can make a decision in the coalition without the concurrence of ODM,” Oburu said. “You cannot purport to appoint a new leader of Azimio, excluding and bypassing ODM. If ODM has not agreed, then there is nothing like a resolution of Azimio.”

The leadership reshuffle, chaired by Uhuru, also saw the removal of National Assembly Minority Leader and Suna West MP Junet Mohamed as the coalition’s Secretary General – a move that further escalated tensions.

Oburu dismissed attempts to revitalise the coalition, arguing that Azimio had long ceased functioning as a cohesive political entity.

“Azimio was dead when ODM left it. We left a long time ago. It is only a formality that we have not performed and which we are going to perform very soon. We are going to exit that moribund organisation called Azimio,” he declared. “Somebody should not be flaunting something that he knows is moribund, that he knows is dead. You are raising the dead from the grave.”

The Azimio coalition was initially formed to back Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential bid. However, since the election, internal disagreements and questions over strategic direction have reportedly strained relations among affiliate parties.

In a significant political shift, Oburu also announced that ODM would continue supporting the government while consolidating its base ahead of the 2027 General Election. He indicated that the party is open to negotiations with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), but would not hesitate to pursue an independent candidacy if talks collapse.

“That is the position of the party, and I am very happy with it. That is what we have been pursuing,” he said.

ODM’s formal exit would substantially weaken Azimio and reshape the opposition landscape. Political analysts now anticipate intensified realignments as parties reposition themselves for 2027.

With ODM charting what appears to be an independent course, the future of the once formidable Azimio coalition hangs in the balance.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has spoken out following his removal from the ODM Party National Executive Committee (NEC).

In a statement on Wednesday, February 11, the MP described the move as politically motivated and linked to internal party dynamics.

Amisi claimed that the changes within the party were not isolated, but part of a calculated effort to edge out certain voices.

“They are testing the ground to remove everyone not supporting Ruto. You know who is next! I gladly become the first casualty! We shall not relent. History will judge us fairly,” he said.

The legislator questioned the legality of the process, insisting that the NEC meeting in Mombasa should have been the forum to deliberate and decide on his removal before any communication was made to him.

“The NEC meeting sitting in Mombasa should be the one to remove me before I receive the letter,” he argued.

Amisi said he has already instructed his lawyer to formally respond to the party and contest the decision.

“I have instructed my lawyer to write back and probably by end of the day the party will be receiving my letter,” he said.

He said he intends to pursue the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before considering further legal action.

“There is what we call internal dispute resolution mechanism so if you go to court they will send you back there,” Amisi said.

The MP also demanded to be informed why he was not given an opportunity to choose which position to relinquish if indeed the party believed he was holding two offices contrary to its rules.

“I want to be told why I was not given an opportunity to choose a position in NEC,” he said.

According to Amisi, the party justified his removal on grounds that he simultaneously holds the positions of Trans Nzoia county ODM chairman and deputy organising secretary at the national level.

However, he maintained that he did not engineer his appointment to the second role.

“It is not me who said I be given two positions. They are the ones who gave me and because I am a true servant of the party, I gladly accepted,” he said.

Amisi further revealed that his appointment as deputy organising secretary followed a vacancy and was endorsed by former party leader Raila Odinga.

“How did I become deputy organising secretary? The position fell vacant and Baba Raila Odinga felt I was the right person for that position. He asked whether I was willing to serve. I accepted and at that time I was still county chair,” he explained.

While acknowledging that holding two positions could be interpreted as irregular, Amisi said he has served in both capacities for the past two years without objection. 

Meanwhile, ODM party leader Oburu Odinga has told dissenters within the party that they are in the minority and, despite having a say, the majority will always have their way.

Speaking on Wednesday, February 11, Oburu explained that ODM worked under democratic principles, which always favour the majority.

He called out some party leaders who publicly contradicted the party despite being members of the National Executive Council (NEC).

Oburu maintained that while it is okay to have contrary opinions, the NEC makes the final decision, which becomes the position of the party.

“If you have anything that you disagree with, NEC is a forum to raise those issues and let the members decide. Once the members have decided and you fall into the minority, the minority will have their right to say, and the majority will have their way,” he stated.

Oburu warned leaders hiding behind ‘personal opinions’ while making statements contradictory to the Council to stop undermining the party.

“Democracy does not mean haos. ODM is like a club, and when you join one, you have to obey the rules of the club,” he reiterated.

Oburu maintained that ODM was keen on re-establishing itself as a strong political outfit ahead of the 2027 election.

He made it clear that while ODM has an existing pact with UDA under the Broad-based government, it was not automatic that the agreement would result in an election coalition.

“We are not in a hurry to say ‘Wantam’ or ‘Tutam’. We are strengthening our party to prep ourselves for negotiations. 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,” he disclosed.