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Ruto to Uhuru: Azimio is dead without ODM
What you need to know:
- The President said the leadership changes initiated by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta would have little impact without ODM.
- Ruto urged his supporters to ignore the political maneuvers of his opponents and rally behind his bid for a second term in 2027.
President William Ruto has questioned the leadership changes recently made at the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, saying the coalition is “dead” without the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Speaking in Pipeline, Embakasi South, on Sunday after attending a church service at AIC Pipeline, the President said the leadership changes initiated by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta would have little impact without ODM,
ODM, under the leadership of Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, is currently cooperating with President Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration in the broad-based deal.
“I have heard that they are reviving Azimio, the one we defeated early in the morning. Azimio without ODM is a collapse,” President Ruto said.
The President urged his supporters to ignore the political maneuvers of his opponents and rally behind his bid for a second term in the 2027 General Elections.
His remarks follow last week’s meeting convened by Mr Kenyatta, the Azimio national chairperson, which saw Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka appointed as the coalition leader and Suba North MP Caroli Omondi named Secretary General.
President William Ruto addresses residents of Pipeline estate in Embakasi South, Nairobi after attending a church service at AIC Pipeline on February 08, 2026.
Mr Kalonzo took over from former ODM leader, the late Raila Odinga, who was the coalition leader and presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.
Philip Kisia was appointed Executive Director, while Suna East MP Junet Mohamed was replaced as Secretary General.
President Ruto’s statement comes amid protests from ODM which expressed its disapproval with the changes in Azimio in a letter to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
The President also highlighted his administration’s development agenda for Nairobi, pledging collaboration with both national and county leadership, including opposition representatives, to ensure the city is clean and well-lit at night.
“Nairobi is where the transformation of the country will start first. We cannot transform Kenya unless we begin with the transformation of the city of Nairobi,” President Ruto said.
President William Ruto addresses worshippers at AIC Pipeline in Nairobi on February 08, 2026.
The Head of State also gave updates on the affordable housing programme aimed at upgrading slums in the city.
“We are building 169,000 houses for the residents of Nairobi. In the next 15 years, we will have done away with slums. We cannot call Nairobi a city while people are still living in slums,” Dr Ruto said.
President William Ruto, AIC Bishop Dr Abraham Mulwa and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a church service at AIC Pipeline in Nairobi on February 08, 2026.
The President also announced that the national government and Nairobi County government will embark on an exercise to clear garbage and improve sanitation in the city beginning April.
“We will clear garbage in the city. We want Nairobi to reflect its status as the capital city of Kenya,” he said.
The President was accompanied by several cabinet members, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Deputy Governor James Muchiri, and several Nairobi MCAs.
