Oburu Rebukes Uhuru as ODM Rejects Azimio Leadership Changes That Hand Power to Kalonzo

Kenya’s opposition space has entered a tense new phase. This time, the fight is open. It is loud. ODM leader Oburu Odinga has taken on former president Uhuru Kenyatta over recent Azimio changes. The dispute centers on how new leaders were picked. It also centers on who was left out.

Speaking in Mombasa, Oburu said ODM was ignored. He insisted that the party remains the backbone of Azimio. He said no one can sideline it. “ODM was the biggest party in Azimio. There is no one who can make a decision in the coalition without the concurrence of ODM,” he said.

The anger followed Kalonzo Musyoka’s appointment as Azimio’s new leader. Uhuru chaired the meeting that made the move. But ODM leaders were missing. That angered party officials. Oburu said the process lacked fairness. “You cannot purport to appoint a new leader of Azimio, excluding and bypassing ODM,” he warned.

He also rejected claims that the coalition still exists in its old form. According to him, Azimio collapsed long ago. He said ODM only stayed quiet for the sake of peace. Now, that silence is ending. “Azimio was dead when ODM left it. We left a long time ago,” he declared.

Oburu also dismissed efforts to revive the coalition. He said it is a waste of time. “Somebody should not be flaunting something that he knows is moribund, that he knows is dead,” he added.

Despite the strong words, ODM is not cutting all ties. The party will still support the government. But it will also plan for 2027. Oburu said talks with UDA could happen. If they fail, ODM will go it alone. “That is the position of the party, and I am very happy with it,” he said.

For now, ODM is sending a message. It wants respect. It wants a voice. And it wants its power back. The battle for Kenya’s opposition future has clearly begun.