Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has declared the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition party defunct, attributing its demise to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga’s recent agreement with the ruling UDA party.

Speaking on Thursday, April 3, 2025, Kalonzo stated that the coalition effectively collapsed when Raila formalized ties with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

“Whatever was Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party— and this is a very unfortunate statement, but it is the reality—ended when our friends in ODM openly signed the agreement with Kenya Kwanza outside KICC,” Kalonzo said.  

The former vice president noted that the Wiper Democratic Movement could not remain alone in the coalition, signalling his departure from the political alliance that backed Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential bid.  

“We have to be realistic because the Wiper Democratic Movement cannot remain alone in Azimio. So this is a statement of fact,” he stated.  

Respect for Raila

Despite the political shift, Kalonzo reiterated his respect for Raila Odinga, ruling out any personal attacks against the ODM leader.  

“As we live in this country, we have developed personal relationships and respect for each other. Nobody will ever hear me attacking Raila Amollo Odinga because that is not my DNA,” he affirmed. 

He further emphasized that, while political realignments are inevitable, mutual respect should prevail.  

“Nobody will hear me attack him because of our long history. But we will respect each other’s choices,” he added.  

Jubilee’s stance

Kalonzo’s remarks come in the wake of the Jubilee Party, a key member of the Azimio coalition, affirming that the alliance still exists.

Speaking to a local media station on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni emphasized that the coalition agreement remains legally binding for the remaining parties until proper exit procedures are followed.

“Azimio – we signed an agreement that was deposited with the registrar of political parties. It was also deposited with the speaker of the National Assembly and there is a way of joining and a way of exiting,” Kioni stated.

He noted that recent departures from the coalition do not invalidate the agreement for the remaining members.

“The fact that Wamalwa, Martha Karua, and Raila now have exited does not mean that is the end of the agreement. We in Jubilee signed that agreement, and we are in Azimio to date, and we will remain in Azimio until we get into another coalition agreement when that time comes,” he said.

When asked about the coalition’s current composition, Kioni revealed that 23 political parties remain in Azimio despite ODM’s departure.

“We are 23 political parties. The fact that the largest political party, ODM, seems to have played ping pong… but ideally, ODM has left, if you ask me. I do not agree with Wamalwa that this is the end of Azimio,” he added.  

Kioni further asserted that Jubilee is prepared to take up the leadership of the opposition within Azimio following ODM’s perceived departure.

“Technically those who are left in Azimio will take over the leadership of Azimio, and the Jubilee party should step in and will step in to take over the leadership of that opposition side,” he declared.