Matiang’i, Orengo replace Uhuru in Ukombozi Alliance
Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i and Siaya Governor James Orengo have replaced retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as co-chairs of The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).
The changes were announced by the coalition’s party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is also the Wiper Patriotic Front boss.
Mr Kenyatta, who had held the position since 2022, resigned in October, opening up the position for major political jostling.
“I want to tell Kenyans that the super alliance is in the making. We have chosen two people who have given this country years of service, and they will chair the Council of the Ukombozi Alliance together,” said Mr Musyoka when he arrived in Kisumu on Thursday ahead of his two-day rally in Migori and Homa Bay.
He added, “This country has had enough of the predator regime. Komboa Kenya is what we are about, and with Orengo and Matiang’i at the table, we are ready for the work ahead.”
There were attempts to entice Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua. Mr Gachagua, however, has opposed the rebranding of the coalition that sponsored the late ODM leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election.
The appointments of Dr Matiang’i and Mr Orengo follow radical changes in the coalition’s deed of agreement, which, among others, created additional positions to take care of competing interests within the opposition.
The alliance introduced a clause allowing for more than one Council Chairperson. The amended agreement has also introduced Deputy Party Leader positions.
The rebranded coalition is pushing for a coalition model inspired by the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) that swept Mwai Kibaki to power in 2002.
Under the arrangement, parties would retain their identities while rallying behind a common presidential candidate and a shared coalition platform.
In the deed of agreement, the coalition has proposed ‘Sauti Moja-Taifa Moja” as its slogan for the 2027 contest.
“… we undertake in this agreement to bring the parties together to ensure an outcome in the said election that will fulfill the wishes of the people of Kenya and guarantee them a government that will continue to pursue the endeavors towards national unity,” reads the agreement.
Inclusive government
In the document, the alliance notes its intention to mobilise the people of Kenya to participate in peaceful, free and fair elections and to form an inclusive government anchored in the constitution and laws of Kenya following the 2027 General Election.
The partner parties have listed Utu (humanity), Undugu (brotherhood), Usawa (equity), Umoja (unity) and Uzalishaji (productivity) as it five basic pillars.
The agreement obtained by the Daily Nation says that the coalition party will have “the Council Chairperson or Chairpersons as may be agreed by the coalition.”
The agreement lists Coalition Council, The National Coalition Executive Committee, The National Secretariat headed by Executive Director, the Coalition Parliamentary Group, the County Coalition Caucus, the National Disciplinary Committee, the Secretaries General Group and the Dispute Resolution Panel as the coalition’s key organs.
According to the agreement, the Coalition Council remains its top decision-making organ and will comprise of not more than 21 members, including the Secretary-General of the coalition.
Part of the council’s mandate include giving policy direction, governance of the coalition party as well as formulate and advise on the principles for the organization of government to ensure equity, fairness and transparency among coalition partners.
Mr Musyoka has been at the centre of rebranding the 2022 election vehicle as The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), having succeeded the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga as the coalition’s party leader.
But the emerging resistance to the Ukombozi identity by key opposition players suggests that presenting the rebranded outfit as the 2027 election vehicle could deepen division within the camp that is already facing a clash of egos and competing interests.
Various parties within the opposition are also fighting to protect their political identities.
For others, Ukombozi is seen as Mr Musyoka’s brainchild. There is also a feeling that the former vice president already has an upper hand within the outfit. Some of the individuals, who have publicly endorsed him as their preferred pick for the opposition ticket, are senior members of the coalition.
Mr Musyoka is already popularizing Ukombozi, having mounted billboards across the country.
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