The King is dead; long live the King. Following the seismic passing of Raila Odinga in October 2025, the Azimio la Umoja coalition has finally crowned his successor. In a high-stakes conclave chaired by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been anointed as the new Party Leader, tasked with steering the opposition ship through the stormiest waters in its history.

The announcement, made after a tense joint session of the Azimio Council, marks the end of the mourning period and the beginning of the political offensive. Kalonzo is no longer the perpetual deputy; he is now the captain. But he inherits a coalition that is grieving, fractured, and facing a ruthless incumbent in President William Ruto.

The New Power Structure

The reshuffle is surgical. Alongside Kalonzo’s elevation, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has been named Secretary General, replacing Junet Mohamed, who was unceremoniously dropped. Philip Kisia, a technocrat with a reputation for efficiency, takes over as Executive Director. This is Uhuru Kenyatta’s handiwork—a blend of political loyalty and administrative competence designed to professionalize the opposition.

"These changes are part of a deliberate effort to reposition and revitalize the coalition," the statement read. But insiders see it as a desperate bid to prevent ODM from disintegrating without the glue of Raila’s charisma.

The Kalonzo Question

Can the "Man from Tseikuru" fill the giant shoes of "Baba"? Skeptics argue that Kalonzo lacks Raila’s fanatical grassroots following. However, his proponents see him as the safe pair of hands needed to unite the disparate opposition factions. His first challenge will be to quell the rebellion in ODM and present a credible threat to the Kenya Kwanza administration.

• The Uhuru Factor: The retired President remains the power behind the throne. His continued chairmanship of the Azimio Council signals that he is not done with Kenyan politics.
• The 2027 Strategy: The reorganization is clearly a war council for the next General Election. By settling the leadership question now, Azimio hopes to build momentum early.

A New Era

As Kalonzo Musyoka steps up to the podium, the ghost of Raila Odinga lingers. The opposition has a new face, but the mission remains the same. The revival plan is in motion, but the road to Canaan is longer and harder than ever. Azimio is back, but it is a different beast—one fighting for its very survival.