A fierce political fight has erupted inside Azimio after Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused the state of blocking the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice.
Kalonzo says State House ordered the Government Printer to stop publication of new coalition officials. His claim triggered a sharp response from National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who rejected the changes and questioned their legality.
The clash has exposed deep cracks within Azimio, raised constitutional questions, and turned the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice into a national political flashpoint.
Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice Sparks Political Storm
Kalonzo Musyoka went public on Saturday, February 7, with explosive claims that the government blocked the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice. He used his social media platforms to accuse State House of direct interference.
He said State House instructed the Government Printer not to publish the coalition’s new leadership. Kalonzo argued that the Azimio National Delegates Council lawfully made the changes in early February. He insisted the state had no legal or moral right to interfere.
“State House has instructed the Government Printer to block publication of Azimio’s legitimate leadership changes in the Kenya Gazette,” Kalonzo stated.
He linked the alleged interference to commitments made under NADCO. Kalonzo co-chaired the bipartisan talks and said fidelity to the law on multiparty democracy formed a key agenda item. He accused the government of acting in bad faith and undermining democratic principles.
Azimio reshuffled its leadership on February 3, 2026. The coalition appointed Kalonzo as party leader following the death of Raila Odinga. Suba South MP Caroli Omondi took over as Secretary General. Junet Mohamed previously held that role. The coalition also named Philip Kisia as executive director after Raphael Tuju resigned.
Kalonzo said these decisions remain valid despite the missing Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice. He promised to pursue all legal options to force publication. He warned that democracy collapses when those in power manipulate institutions to silence opponents.
The Azimio chairperson, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, has not issued a public statement. His silence has fueled speculation and deepened uncertainty within the coalition.
Kalonzo Claims State Interference Undermines Democracy
Kalonzo framed the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice dispute as a constitutional crisis. He argued that the executive crossed the line by meddling in party affairs.
He said the move threatens multiparty democracy and sets a dangerous precedent. According to him, a ruling administration should never decide who leads the opposition.
Kalonzo also stressed that Azimio followed internal processes. He said delegates met, debated, and voted. He maintained that the coalition acted within the law and expected routine gazettement.
Supporters of Kalonzo say the delay weakens Azimio’s ability to operate. Without the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice, the coalition cannot transact official business smoothly. They argue that the delay cripples opposition oversight in Parliament.
Legal experts sympathetic to this view say gazettement should remain a procedural act, not a political weapon. They warn that selective enforcement erodes trust in state institutions.
Junet Mohamed Rejects Changes and Cites Legal Gaps
Junet Mohamed responded quickly and forcefully. He dismissed Kalonzo’s claims and accused him of ignoring Azimio’s founding rules.
Junet said the coalition violated its Deed of Agreement. He claimed a binding legal document, lodged with the Registrar of Political Parties, governs leadership changes. According to Junet, Azimio did not follow that document.
“You decided not to follow the provisions of the document to do the changes you purported to have done,” Junet said. He insisted he remains the legitimate Secretary General.
Junet revealed that Kalonzo took more than nine hours to sign the same document. He claimed Kalonzo opposed parts of it and never fully embraced its provisions.
The Minority Leader also questioned Kalonzo’s political consistency. He recalled Kalonzo’s August 2025 remarks, where he declared Azimio dead after ODM joined UDA in a broad-based government.
Junet accused Kalonzo of reviving Azimio for selfish interests. He said the coalition cannot operate on convenience and selective memory. In his view, the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice issue reflects internal failure, not state interference.
Why the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice Matters Legally
The law places the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice at the center of this conflict. Without gazettement, leadership changes lack legal force.
Article 199 of the Constitution of Kenya is clear. Legislation, official appointments, and political party decisions only take effect after publication in the Kenya Gazette. Courts and state agencies rely on gazette notices as proof of legality.
This means Kalonzo’s appointment, without the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice, remains incomplete in law. The same applies to other officials named by the coalition.
The standoff leaves Azimio in limbo. One faction claims political legitimacy. Another insists on strict legal compliance. Meanwhile, the state’s silence raises questions about neutrality.
As the war of words intensifies, the Azimio Leadership Gazette Notice has become more than a document. It now symbolizes a struggle for control, legality, and the future of Kenya’s opposition politics.
