Azimio Coalition has declared that its recent leadership changes will take full effect after 14 days, whether or not they are published in the Kenya Gazette.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview with Radio Generation, Executive Director Philip Kisia said the coalition triggered a constitutional clause that allows the changes to stand after the lapse of the notice period.
Kisia said the coalition submitted the communication of the changes to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and complied with the law. He explained that once they delivered the documents, their role ended there.
“It is not our job, after communicating everything, yes, and complying with what is required in law with our RPP, it is not our responsibility to Gazette, to Gazette, we can't force them to Gazette,” he said.
He added that the Registrar was expected to forward the notice to the Government Printer for publication. However, he claimed that external interference could be delaying the process.
“Now, if the so-called government printer receives instructions from those who are in power not to run the Gazette notice. With our notice, our hands are tied,” he said.
Despite this, Kisia said the coalition constitution anticipated such a situation. He stated that the drafters provided an alternative route, allowing publication in a widely circulated newspaper if the Gazette notice is not issued.
“So after 14 days, whether they publish our names or not, we are already counting, yes, 14 days from the fourth of February, 2026,” he said.
Kisia maintained that the leadership changes were carried out in line with the coalition agreement. He said members first gave time to mourn Raila Odinga, who passed on October 15, before making any adjustments.
“As members of the coalition, we gave it time to honor our late hero,” he said, noting that more than 40 days were observed before changes were effected on February 2, 2026.
He dismissed claims that the coalition was collapsing, saying critics who described it as a “dead horse” have been proved wrong. According to him, the entry of new officials has strengthened the coalition and restored momentum.
On the elevation of Kalonzo Musyoka, Kisia said the Council Chair convened a meeting in line with the deed of agreement. Those who attended agreed that Kalonzo was best suited to take up the position of party leader. He said there was no way the coalition could allow a leadership vacuum.
Kisia also addressed concerns that some members were not consulted. He said all council members, including those from ODM, were invited electronically and that there is evidence to show this. He maintained that those who failed to attend cannot later claim exclusion.
Regarding the Secretary General position, Kisia said Suba North MP Junet Mohamed had been invited to the meeting but did not show up.
He argued that a leader cannot serve two sides at the same time.
“You can't have one leg on the right side and the other leg on the left side,” he said, adding that those present felt it was necessary to fill the position.
He further cited Article 14 of the coalition agreement, saying it bars members from promoting the agenda of another coalition while still holding office. In his view, anyone conflicted should step aside.
Kisia insisted that the process followed was lawful, transparent and guided by the coalition’s constitution. He said once the 14 days lapse from February 4, the changes will stand, regardless of delays in publication.
