The National Liberal Party (NLP) has strongly condemned the recent leadership shake-up announced by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, describing the move as unconstitutional, irregular, and politically motivated.
On 9 March 2026, Azimio announced a major restructuring of its top organs, removing several senior figures.
Those affected included Junet Mohamed, the long-serving Parliamentary Group Leader and Secretary General; Hassan Joho, former Mombasa Governor; Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya; nominated MP Sabina Chege; Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi; and coalition council member Abdi Noor Omar Farah.
Azimio defended the purge, citing conflicts of interest, alleged ties to rival political blocs, and the need to streamline leadership and reinforce unity.
However, NLP, led by Dr. Augustus Muli, has rejected the changes outright. In a letter to the Registrar of Political Parties, the party argued that no vacancies were declared prior to the removals, rendering the replacements invalid.
It further contended that the process violated the Political Parties Act 2011 and the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which mandate adherence to internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
The party also reiterated its objection to Kalonzo Musyoka’s elevation as Azimio leader, calling the appointment irregular and unresolved.
NLP insists the matter must be subjected to arbitration under the coalition’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Dr. Muli highlighted several procedural anomalies, questioning the legitimacy of the NEC meeting that ratified the changes, convened by Philip Kisia, whose appointment as Azimio Executive Director remains contested.
He alleged that the session had inflated membership, with only four gazetted officials present—raising doubts about quorum.
NLP also claimed that representatives from outside Azimio, including the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP), participated in the decision-making, undermining the coalition’s autonomy.
The dispute highlights widening fissures within Azimio, a coalition long plagued by internal discord.
NLP’s petition could stall the restructuring, delaying the coalition’s ability to present a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.
The unresolved leadership dispute involving Musyoka risks fracturing Azimio’s command structure, with rival factions openly questioning his legitimacy.
The party insists Azimio must revert to its Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM) and subject all decisions to NEC arbitration.
“NLP believes that for Azimio to remain a legitimate political outfit, it must first follow the law,” Dr. Muli said.
He also pointed out that many party affiliates are still awaiting funds that should have been distributed to all members by the government.
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