United Opposition leaders under the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition umbrella have moved to rebrand the outfit into a more inclusive coalition party, as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) dedicates October to commemorating its founder, the late Raila Odinga.   

The Azimio Coalition’s decision followed a meeting on 10 September attended by members of the Joint Azimio Council and the National Executive Council (NEC) within the coalition. The meeting also noted that the move would strengthen the coalition’s position ahead of the 2027 general election.   

The meeting also evaluated applications from political parties that had expressed interest in joining the coalition. The council and the NEC approved the applications, paving the way for the parties to formally join the Azimio coalition.  

In 2022, at the time of registration, the alliance comprised 23 parties. As of March 2026, its member parties were the National Rainbow Coalition Kenya (Narc-K), the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK), the Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM), the Party of National Unity Kenya (PNU), the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the Jubilee Party (JP), the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), and the Kenya African National Union (KANU).  

Others include Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU), United Party of Independent Alliance (UPIA), Muungano Party (MP), Ubuntu People’s Forum, United Democratic Party (UDP), Kenya Reforms Party (KRP), Peoples Trust Party (PTP), National Liberal Party (NLP), Movement for Democracy & Growth (MDG), United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Democratic Action Party (Kenya), Party for Peace and Democracy (PPD), Kenya Union Party (KUP), and Party for Growth and Prosperity (PGP).      

In February 2026, the Azimio Coalition Party Council and NEC removed Junet Mohamed as the coalition’s secretary-general, replacing him with Caroli Omondi; Raphael Tuju was replaced as executive director by Philip Kisia, and Kalonzo Musyoka became the new party leader.   

ODM responded by issuing a 90-day formal notice of withdrawal from the Coalition, issued by its National Executive Committee (NEC). The party leader, Oburu Oginga, said ODM was not consulted and called the move inconsequential, as ODM was the largest party in the coalition. On March 9, the coalition removed Junet Mohamed as leader of its parliamentary group and replaced him with Suba South MP Caroli Omondi.   

ODM  

At the same time, ODM announced a month-long programme of activities to mark the first anniversary of the death of its founder, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.  

The party dedicated October to honouring Raila’s contribution to the country’s democracy and Pan-Africanism, with activities planned across the country. The month will be called “Mwezi wa Baba” and will begin on October 2 with a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony in memory of Raila.  

The candle-lighting ceremony will take place at 6 pm across the country, according to the party. The party will then hold a major memorial rally in Kakamega Town on October 9, bringing together supporters from counties across Western Kenya.  

The party listed Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia as counties expected to participate in the event.   

From October 10 to 15, the ODM said Raila’s family would lead a series of memorial activities culminating in the main memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo. The programme will then move to Northern Kenya, where the party plans to hold a memorial rally in Garissa Town on October 17. The Garissa event will give ODM members and supporters from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit counties the opportunity to participate in the ceremony.   

ODM has also scheduled memorial activities in the Coast region on October 18 and 19 before the country marks Mashujaa Day on October 20. Further memorial activities will be held in Kajiado County on October 21, followed by events in Turkana County between October 23 and 25. The month-long programme will conclude with a major memorial rally in Nairobi County on October 31.   

Raila died on October 15, 2025, while receiving medical treatment in India, ending a decades-long political career that saw him serve as Kenya’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013.