Raila Odinga's Azimio La Umoja coalition secured a major political expansion on March 12 as 30 parties formally joined the alliance, bolstering his presidential campaign ahead of the 2022 elections.
Key Figures and Agreements ¶
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka spearheaded the move, with hundreds of delegates signing a pre-election deal at the Azimio La Umoja National Delegates Convention (NDC) held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The coalition now includes the Jubilee Party, KANU, NARC, and several other regional and national parties.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, as Jubilee Party leader, was named the coalition's patron. Other prominent figures present included governors from Machakos, Laikipia, and Kakamega, as well as Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and former Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera.
2017 Pact Dispute ¶
Kalonzo's decision to join Odinga followed a public rift over the validity of their 2017 pre-election agreement, which he argued remained in effect. The Wiper leader initially refused to endorse Odinga for president, citing unresolved terms from the earlier deal.
Party List and Absences ¶
- Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
- Jubilee Party
- Wiper Party
- KANU
- NARC
- Democratic Action Party (DAP-K)
- United Democratic Movement (UDM)
- Maendeleo Chap Chap
- Devolution Empowerment Party
- Democratic Party (DP)
- Kenya United Party (KUP)
- Farmer's Party
- United Democratic Party
- Pamoja African Alliance (PAA)
- Ubuntu Party
- National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA)
- Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU)
- National Liberal Party
- Kenya Social Congress
- Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG)
- Kenya National Congress (KNC)
- Kenya Reform Party
- National Agenda Party of Kenya
- Party of Growth and Prosperity
- United Progressive Alliance
Notably absent was Martha Karua of Narc-Kenya, who had signed a separate agreement with the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) on March 11. The coalition's expanded membership underscores Odinga's efforts to consolidate opposition forces ahead of the 2022 presidential race.
