ODM rejects Uhuru-led Azimio leadership changes, says Oburu Oginga was not consulted

In a letter addressed to the Registrar of Political Parties, John Cox Lorianokou, the party sought the decision by Kenyatta frozen and suspended, maintaining that ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga was not consulted in the decision as required under the Azimio deed of agreement.

"It is our considered position that the ODM Party Leader, an expressly named and key constituent party under the Deed of Agreement, was neither informed nor involved in the purported changes," the letter read in part. 

"Consequently, the meeting and its resolutions were ultra vires, in contravention of the express provisions of the Deed of Agreement, and are therefore null and void." 

According to ODM, the power to effect any leadership changes is not vested in a single Party leader but lies with the leaders of the Coalition's Constituent parties, namely, ODM, Jubilee party and the Wiper Patriotic Front. 

ODM joins other Azimio affiliate parties led by National Liberal Party (NLP) Secretary General Ishmael Omondi Koyoo, who have rejected the recent leadership changes. 

In another letter addressed to the Registrar of Political Parties, Koyoo accused the coalition partners of political deceit, saying a non-procedural Azimio meeting was held to fill vacant positions and remove officials from both the National Executive Committee and the Council.

“The above actions go against the founding principles of inclusivity, transparency and accountability that Azimio espouses. In light of the aforementioned, we, the undersigned, founding Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Political Party affiliates, reject in totality the resolutions submitted to your office and caution you from further processing the illegal, null and void resolutions," the letter read in part. 

The disputed changes within Azimio saw Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka appointed as the new Azimio coalition leader, Suba North MP Caroli Omondi named Secretary General, and veteran politician Philip Kisia appointed Executive Director. 

Junet Mohamed, who previously served as Secretary General, and former Executive Director Raphael Tuju were removed.