Kalonzo’s Big Sacrifice: Ukombozi Alliance Scraps Automatic Presidential Ticket Clause.

KALONZO NEW POWER DEAL: How Wiper Leader Is Scrapping Automatic Ticket to Save His 2027 Dream.

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has struck a new power deal that changes everything for 2027.

Weeks after rebranding Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition to ‘The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), Kalonzo’s team has amended the coalition’s crucial document to scrap a clause that made the party leader the automatic presidential candidate.

The move is designed to attract opposition parties who were wary of joining the former Azimio vehicle.

1. No automatic ticket: The old clause interpreted as giving Kalonzo an automatic path to be the flagbearer has been revised. All member parties can now contest for the presidential ticket through an internal democratic process.

2. New coalitions allowed: The alliance will now allow new coalitions and will change its leadership structure. The post of Council Chairperson, previously held by former President Uhuru Kenyatta who resigned on Oct 6, is now open. Sources say efforts are underway to persuade Rigathi Gachagua or Siaya Governor James Orengo to take it.

3. Slogan is “One Term, One Team, One Coalition.”

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala said bluntly: _”DCP will not enter Azimio. They should all hold together, then us and Sifuna hold together, and then we talk.”_

DCP advisory chair Maina Kamanda said DCP believes it has 8 million votes alone and must assess partners before joining.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi camp also refused to join, insisting they want to build their own structure first and push Sifuna as their presidential candidate. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said Sifuna’s camp will negotiate with Ukombozi as equals, not as juniors.

Kalonzo ally Justin Muturi defended the move: _”The coalition leader is not automatically the presidential candidate. The rebranding is to attract new members.”_

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua added: _”ODM’s departure from Azimio to join Ruto’s broad-based government created a new political reality requiring reorganisation.”_

The deal is not yet sealed. The name “Ukombozi Alliance” itself is in court. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) on Oct 13 issued interim orders blocking ORPP from registering it after Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s UDP claimed they had reserved “Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP)” as early as March 2025 for Sifuna’s presidential vehicle. The case comes up on Oct 29.

At a rally, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa mocked Sifuna: _”Ulikuwa unasema utazindua chama cha Ukombozi, imechukuliwa na Kalonzo. Ukasema unazindua chama cha Mwananchi, imeenda na Babu Owino.”_

Kalonzo is facing his 4th attempt at the presidency. He has been Raila’s running mate in 2013 and 2017. Now with Raila gone and ODM in broad-based government, he sees a “Kibaki moment of 2002” – as his deputy Francis Mwangangi calls it.

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