Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has given up the chairmanship of the newly rebranded Ukombozi Alliance, with Siaya Governor James Orengo now taking over the position.
The leadership change follows the decision by parties in the former Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition to adopt the Ukombozi Alliance name as they reorganise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Reports indicated that Uhuru handed over the position to Orengo after a meeting of the coalition's top leadership on September 21.
The change came shortly after Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced that Azimio had unanimously agreed to operate under the new Ukombozi Alliance name.
Orengo Takes Over Coalition Leadership
Orengo now becomes the public face of a political formation that is seeking to bring several opposition parties and leaders under one umbrella.
His appointment comes as opposition figures continue consultations on how their separate political formations could work together before the next election.
The Siaya governor has previously been involved in wider opposition discussions, while Kalonzo has continued to push for greater cooperation among parties opposed to President William Ruto's administration.
The new leadership arrangement therefore places Orengo at the centre of the coalition's next phase.
Uhuru's Political Role Has Changed
The latest development is also part of a wider reduction in Uhuru's formal political leadership positions.
Earlier in September, the High Court ruled that retired presidents cannot continue holding leadership positions in political parties beyond the period provided by law.
Following the ruling, Uhuru agreed to hand over the leadership of the Jubilee Party while maintaining that the judgment did not prevent him from participating in political activities.
Kalonzo had also said that Uhuru's right to remain involved in political activities was not affected by the court decision.
The former president therefore remains politically relevant to the opposition discussions, even though he is no longer occupying some of the formal leadership positions he previously held.
Opposition Faces New Political Alignments
The changes are taking place as several opposition formations develop their own strategies for the 2027 election.
The Ukombozi Alliance is one of the emerging structures, while the Linda Mwananchi movement associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is also pursuing its own political path.
There have also been efforts to engage other opposition figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, as different parties explore ways of working together.
The competing formations have not yet settled on a single structure for the 2027 contest, leaving negotiations over cooperation and leadership ongoing.
What Orengo's New Role Means
Orengo's appointment gives him a central role in managing the rebranded coalition and coordinating its next political steps.
The alliance will have to work through questions surrounding its membership, leadership structures, policy platform and relationship with other opposition groups.
Kalonzo and other leaders have repeatedly spoken about the need for opposition cooperation as preparations for the 2027 election continue.
However, the existence of several separate political movements means that further negotiations are likely before a wider arrangement can emerge.
For now, the change from Uhuru to Orengo marks another significant adjustment in the opposition's political organisation.
The coming months will show how the Ukombozi Alliance develops and how it relates to other opposition formations as parties prepare for the 2027 General Election.
