Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has resigned as Azimio la Umoja Council Chairperson, just weeks after stepping down as Jubilee Party leader, as the coalition rebrands as the Ukombozi Alliance.
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has resigned as Azimio la Umoja Council Chairperson with immediate effect, Don Sami Live has established, marking his second major political exit in under a month as the opposition coalition undergoes a significant restructuring.
Uhuru headed the council, which was responsible for the governance, policy direction, and strategic planning of the coalition — now rebranded as the Ukombozi Alliance (TUA). Don Sami Live has learnt that his resignation was tendered in a letter dated October 5, addressed to coalition party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and copied to the National Steering Committee, coming just 15 days after he officially stepped down as Jubilee Party leader.
"Following the official handover of the Jubilee Party leadership, I am writing to formally resign from my leadership position within the Azimio La Umoja Coalition, effective immediately," Uhuru wrote.
Responding to the letter, Kalonzo issued a statement reflecting on the significance of Uhuru's departure. "We have received President Kenyatta's letter of 5th October 2026, in which he resigns from his leadership position within the coalition with immediate effect. He tells us that his decision is not a departure from our shared political journey, and he reminds us that a coalition is not a temporary alliance of convenience but a covenant of conviction," Kalonzo said.
Uhuru's resignation from the Azimio council comes on the heels of his exit from Jubilee Party leadership, which he officially handed over to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on September 22. That move followed his September 15 announcement that he would step down, after a High Court ruling by Justice Lawrence Mugambi enforced Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act — a provision barring retired presidents from holding political party office more than six months after leaving office.
At the time, Uhuru indicated he would remain a member and senior adviser of the Jubilee Party, suggesting his influence within the broader opposition movement was unlikely to disappear entirely despite the formal leadership changes.
With the council chairperson role now vacant, Don Sami Live has learnt that the coalition is considering DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and Siaya Governor James Orengo for senior leadership positions in the restructured alliance. Gachagua has reportedly been proposed to succeed Uhuru as council chairperson, while sources indicate Orengo could take up a co-chair position alongside him as the opposition bloc reorganises ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Such a move would mark a notable shift for the coalition, bringing in a figure whose political journey — from Ruto's deputy to his most vocal opposition critic — has reshaped Kenya's political landscape over the past year.
Beyond the leadership reshuffle, the newly rebranded Ukombozi Alliance appears to be in active expansion mode. Kalonzo remains the coalition's party leader, with People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua serving as deputy coalition leader and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi as Secretary-General. The expanded council already includes Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang'i, Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, and Devolution Empowerment Party leader Lenny Kivuti.
The coalition has also resolved to invite several other parties into the fold, including the Umoja na Maendeleo Party led by Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, the People's Democratic Party led by Omingo Magara, and the Democratic Party led by former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.