Azimio kicks out Joho, Junet, Wandayi in major leadership reshuffle
Even Raila Odinga must be feeling sad for his one-time buddy Kalonzo Musyoka as he sees him swimming in mud with his head tied under his feet and he has no clue where to go next.
A few weeks ago, Kalonzo and his boss Rigathi Gachagua announced to Kenyans after the United Opposition leaders stormed the Police boss Mr. Kanja’s office that they would start nationwide demonstrations in Kenya on February 16, 2026 unless OGC Kanja arrested all the people who they claimed attacked Gachagua in a church and they had the names of those they wanted arrested.
Kanja laughed off the threats and came the promised mass action day the opposition leaders who were threatening demos disappeared and are now looking for new arrests in Meru where they claim they were not allowed to go to the same church where DP Kindiki was and they had been invited.
What happened with the threats of mass demonstrations is that the likes of Gachagua and Kalonzo have now come to terms with the fact that they have no relevance to Gen Z activists and they are not going to pull them to the streets like toys for the political benefit of opposition leaders.
Now Gachagua and Kalonzo have taken their noise to Meru and again it is the same tired nonsense. Opposition leaders are desperate to portray themselves as victims of state violence and repression and now they have to go and look for trouble because otherwise nobody even cares to know where they are and the media is dead on them.
Police officers reportedly blocked Gachagua and several opposition leaders from entering the church compound. Among those with him were Kalonzo Musyoka and former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
Kindiki used the church platform to criticize his predecessor’s political style. He said leadership demands decorum and respect for institutions. He also described Gachagua’s recent political moves as “primitive and bullying.”
The remarks drew applause from supporters inside the church.
Deputy President Kindiki Hits Back at Gachagua Over Alleged Political Incitement
Accoding to media reports, Kindiki speaks in tongues and warns Gachagua in Mbeere North in a fiery Sunday church service that left congregants stunned and social media ablaze, as Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki slipped
Kindiki spoke in Meru County shortly after attending the induction of Bishop David Mwiti, where he urged residents to reject coercion from opposition figures.
“Visitors are welcome in Meru, but they must come with discipline… no chaos or trouble. If they cause unrest, we will deal with it seriously. The people of Meru are civilized; we do not tolerate disorder or noise,” Kindiki warned.
In another jibe at Gachagua, Kindiki accused the former DP of consistently disrespecting those in office and failing to deliver during his time in office.
He went on, “You must respect the people of Meru and its leaders. There is nothing you brought here in terms of development… you came with empty promises, deceiving people during your one term,” he said.
In another issue, Kindiki faulted Gachagua’s political track record, as he warned his predecessor against incitement.
“You, Rigathi, were just a district officer and served one term as an MP. When you were appointed Deputy President, you undermined the government by fighting the President and sabotaging development programs. We will not allow anyone to destroy our country by inciting people,” Kindiki said.
Separately, Kindiki highlighted the government’s “solid plan” for development and challenged critics to show the projects they had championed for Meru County, the Mt. Kenya region, or Kenya at large while in office.
“The difference between us and those walking around inciting people is like day and night. We have a solid plan… We dare them to present the projects they lobbied for Meru County, the Mt. Kenya region, and Kenya at large when they were in office,” he said.
As they battle not just for political relevance or even just some small attention from Kenyans who seem to be turning their backs on endless opposition rhetoric and the media is nowhere unless there is drama, the new Azimio boss appointed by retired Uhuru Kenyatta to non-existing political coalition, has announce the firing of some people and appointment of new ones to Azimio.
Kalonzo Musyoka in his media statement told Kenyans that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party has announced a major leadership shake-up that has seen several senior politicians removed from key coalition positions.
In a statement issued Monday after a joint meeting of the Coalition Council and the National Coalition Executive Council, the coalition said the affected leaders had ceased holding the positions after taking up public office or joining rival political formations.
Among those removed from the Azimio Coalition Council are Mining CS Hassan Joho, Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Abdi Noor Omar Farah, and Suna East Junet Mohamed.
Several other leaders dropped from the Azimio National Coalition Executive Council, include Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya, MPs Adan Keynan (Eldas), David Pkosing (Pokot South), Mishi Mboko (Likoni), and Abdul Haji, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi; Isabella Wangechi Githinji; Caroline Wanjiru Karugu; and Solomon Kuria.
Kalonzo said the changes were necessary following recent political developments, including appointments to government positions and alignment with competing political coalitions.
Looking for his own relevance Justin Muturi warned of nationwide protests starting April 2026 if IEBC retains Smartmatic.
Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi warned that nationwide protests could erupt in April if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) does not drop Smartmatic International Technologies from Kenya’s election technology system.
In a strongly worded statement, Muturi said continued engagement between the electoral body and Smartmatic International Technologies poses a serious threat to the integrity of the country’s electoral process.
“The continued engagement of the IEBC with Smartmatic for election technology is unacceptable. This is a serious threat to the integrity of our electoral process and risks undermining public confidence in our democracy,” Muturi said.
The former National Assembly Speaker warned that Kenyans could take to the streets if the commission fails to address concerns and present a clear alternative plan for managing election technology.
“I am warning clearly: if the IEBC does not immediately address these concerns and provide a clear plan for an alternative and transparent electoral system, Kenyans will take to the streets in nationwide protest beginning in April,” he said.
“It is alarming that despite growing public scrutiny and global concerns over Smartmatic in over 15 countries, the IEBC continues to rely on the company. This is a failure of leadership and accountability,” he said.
And that is Justin Muturi who could not help their candidate win an MCA in Evorore in votes cast last week.
Muturi in his own village where he is a voter had nobody else to vote with him and they could not win an MCA seat for United Opposition. Maybe Muturi should run for that MCA office himself in 2027. These opposition noisemakers are gone and nothing can save them going forward.
Adongo Ogony is a Human Rights Activist and a Writer who lives in Toronto, Canada
