The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has officially adopted a new political identity, with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka announcing that the opposition outfit will henceforth operate as the Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).
Kalonzo made the announcement on Monday, September 21, 2026, during a press briefing attended by several opposition leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Attorney General Justin Muturi.
He said the decision to abandon the Azimio la Umoja name was unanimously agreed upon by the coalition’s leadership as part of a wider restructuring ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“After today, even this podium will change because the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has this day, September 21, 2026, unanimously agreed to rebrand and change the name to Ukombozi Alliance,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo said the rebranding marked the beginning of a new phase for the opposition coalition.
“We want the country to note that we are on the move,” he said.
New identity and political philosophy
The rebranding follows months of discussions within Azimio on restructuring its organs, expanding its membership and developing a new political identity ahead of the next General Election.
In August, the coalition’s Joint Council and National Executive Committee resolved to reorganise its structures and undertake a comprehensive rebranding exercise as part of preparations for the next electoral cycle.
Under the new Ukombozi Alliance identity, the coalition is expected to operate under the philosophy “One Term, One Team, One Coalition” and use blue and white as its signature colours.
The coalition has also been holding consultations with other political parties and actors as it seeks to broaden its political base and establish structures ahead of the 2027 polls.
Kalonzo said the change of name should not be interpreted as abandoning the coalition’s broader political objectives.
He maintained that although the political vehicle had acquired a new identity, its commitment to Kenyans remained.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s role
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been chairing the Azimio Council, is expected to remain central to the transition.
Kalonzo announced that Uhuru would convene a Jubilee Party meeting on Tuesday, September 22, where key decisions would be made regarding the party’s direction.
The outcome of the meeting will then be communicated to the Ukombozi Alliance, with Kalonzo saying the intention was to ensure that the coalition’s constituent parties move together.
“The coalition chair is the 4th president, Uhuru Kenyatta, and tomorrow he is convening the Jubilee Party meeting to make necessary and important decisions and communicate to the Ukombozi Alliance so that we move together and in union,” Kalonzo said.
He added that arrangements would subsequently be made for the formal handover of the chairmanship of the political party.
The developments come against the backdrop of renewed legal and political questions surrounding Uhuru’s continued formal role in Jubilee.
On September 15, Uhuru said he would relinquish the leadership of Jubilee following a High Court decision concerning restrictions on retired presidents holding political party office.
Kalonzo subsequently distinguished Uhuru’s position in Jubilee from his separate role as chair of the Azimio Council.
On September 21, another High Court judgment by Justice Bahati Mwamuye declared provisions restricting retired presidents from political party office unconstitutional, holding that leaving the presidency does not extinguish a former president’s constitutional political rights.
The two developments have added a fresh legal dimension to discussions surrounding Uhuru’s political role.
Opposition restructuring
The rebranding is part of a broader effort by opposition parties to reorganise their political structures ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Azimio had earlier indicated that its restructuring would involve its organisational structures, policy platform and public engagement.
The coalition has also been seeking to engage additional political parties as it works towards building a wider political formation.
The new Ukombozi Alliance therefore provides a fresh political identity for parties that were previously operating under the Azimio umbrella.
However, the transition is expected to involve several organisational and political steps, including decisions by individual member parties, formalisation of the new structures and clarification of leadership responsibilities.
The extent to which the new alliance will attract additional parties and how its constituent parties will coordinate their activities will become clearer as the 2027 election preparations intensify.
Kalonzo: The promise remains
In announcing the new name, Kalonzo sought to separate the coalition’s rebranding from its broader political agenda.
He said the change was intended to mark a new chapter while maintaining the coalition’s existing commitment to its supporters.
The Ukombozi Alliance now becomes the latest political vehicle through which members of the former Azimio coalition will organise their political activities as parties prepare for the 2027 General Election.
With the coalition still consulting on its structures, membership and leadership arrangements, further changes are expected as the new alliance takes shape in the months leading to the polls.
