Junet Mohamed Fights Azimio Ouster as Coalition Leaders Clash Over ‘Illegal’ Shake-up

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has been plunged into a leadership crisis as Suna East MP Junet Mohamed fights a dramatic attempt to strip him of his political standing. Following a joint session of the Azimio Council and National Executive Committee (NEC) on February 2, 2026, the coalition announced that Junet had been dropped as Secretary General and replaced by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi. The shake-up, reportedly led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, also named Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the new Party Leader, succeeding the late Raila Odinga, who passed away in October 2025.

Junet has openly rejected these changes, characterizing the move as “unprocedural” and a violation of the coalition’s founding legal framework. In a defiant public clash, Junet criticized Kalonzo Musyoka for accepting the appointment, arguing that the leadership transition did not follow the Deed of Agreement deposited with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP). Despite the announcement of his removal, Junet continues to sign official statements as the Secretary General, signaling a complete refusal to recognize the new internal structure.

The “scramble” for standing is exacerbated by mounting pressure from within the coalition’s smaller affiliate parties. In mid-January 2026, a group of more than ten constituent parties, led by the National Liberal Party (NLP), demanded Junet’s immediate resignation. These parties accused him of “internal sabotage” and mismanagement of agent funds during the 2022 General Election, which they claim directly contributed to the coalition’s losses. They further alleged that Junet has made defamatory remarks against Uhuru Kenyatta, making his continued leadership role untenable for those loyal to the former president.

As of February 9, 2026, the dispute has reached a stalemate centered on the Kenya Gazette. While Kalonzo Musyoka has accused State House of blocking the official gazettement of the new leadership, Junet has mocked these claims, insisting the delay is actually due to the “illegal” nature of the appointments themselves. This internal warfare leaves Azimio in a precarious position; with the 2027 General Election looming, the opposition remains fractured between a faction loyal to the new Omondi-Kalonzo leadership and those who believe Junet Mohamed still holds the legal keys to the coalition.