Kalonzo Clarifies Ukombozi Alliance Leadership After Uhuru's Resignation

Ukombozi Alliance leader Kalonzo Musyoka has clarified the coalition’s leadership structure following the resignation of former President Uhuru Kenyatta from his leadership position within the coalition.

In a statement in Wednesday, October 7, Kalonzo said the coalition had received Uhuru's resignation letter dated Monday, October 5, in which the former President stepped down with immediate effect. 

Kalonzo thanked Uhuru for his leadership and said his departure from the leadership position did not amount to an exit from the coalition.

"On behalf of The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), the name by which the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya Coalition Party has been known since 21st September 2026, and in my capacity as its Party Leader, I wish to place on record our gratitude to Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, the Fourth President of the Republic of Kenya, for the leadership he gave to the coalition," the statement read.

Kalonzo said Uhuru had maintained that his resignation was not a departure from the political journey they shared and had urged the coalition to remain united around its principles.

"We have received President Kenyatta's letter of 5th October 2026, in which he resigns from his leadership position within the coalition with immediate effect. He tells us that his decision is not a departure from our shared political journey, and he reminds us that a coalition is not a temporary alliance of convenience but a covenant of conviction," the statement added.

The Ukombozi Alliance leader said the coalition had accepted Kenyatta’s call to maintain an inclusive political platform committed to democratic governance and the rule of law.

"I agree with him. He has also charged us to keep the coalition a broad and inclusive canopy for all Kenyans who believe in the rule of law and democratic governance. We accept that charge, and we shall keep it," the statement further read.

Kalonzo also thanked Uhuru and his family for the sacrifices associated with his public service, saying the former President would remain part of the coalition and could continue offering counsel.

"We thank him, and we are grateful to his family for the sacrifices that came with that service. He remains a committed member of the Azimio family, ready to support from the ranks and to offer counsel when called upon. We shall call on President Kenyatta for an official visit, during which the handover ceremony will take place," the statement noted.

Kalonzo further sought to clarify the distinction between the Chair of Council and Party Leader positions, amid questions over the impact of Kenyatta’s resignation on the coalition’s leadership.

"To avoid any confusion among our members, partners and the public, I wish to be clear on the leadership structure. The Party Leader and the Chair of Council are two distinct offices, and they have never been one and the same," the statement explained.

According to Kalonzo, the Chair of Council was the coalition's council-level position, one of counsel, convening and guidance, and it is the office Uhuru has now relinquished. 

The Party Leader is the political and executive head of the party. 

He speaks for the party, runs its day-to-day affairs, represents it before the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and other institutions, and answers to its members.

Kalonzo said his position as Party Leader remained intact following Kenyatta’s resignation and that there would be no leadership vacuum within the coalition.

"I hold that office, and it is unaffected by President Kenyatta's resignation. There is no vacuum at the helm of Ukombozi, and no change in the party's leadership, direction or programme," the statement noted.

Kalonzo also said the coalition had resolved the challenge surrounding its new name after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties reserved The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).

"On our name, I am pleased to inform our members and the public that the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has reserved the name The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA) for us. 

"The challenge that had been raised around the name is therefore behind us. The party is now completing the compliance requirements that follow, and we are handling them diligently. We shall update Kenyans as each milestone is reached," the statement concluded.

This comes weeks after Uhuru stepped aside as Jubilee Party leader and handed over the position to his deputy, Fred Matiang’i.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 22, Uhuru said the decision would pave the way for Matiang’i to take charge of the party as members await the National Delegates Convention (NDC). 

He asked Jubilee members to accept the former Interior Cabinet Secretary as the party’s new leader.

"While we wait for NDC, I have decided to let my deputy take over the party leadership. I want to ask you respectfully to accept Fred Matiang’i to take the position of Jubilee party leader," he said.

Uhuru, however, clarified that his decision did not mean he was leaving the party, saying he would assume a senior advisory role and continue serving within Jubilee.

"I cannot leave Jubilee; instead, I will take up the position above and serve as a senior adviser," he added.

Matiang’i described the transition as an emotional moment, saying he had not expected to assume the leadership at this point.

"This is a very emotional time for me because I never thought in my life that this moment would come today, but God knows. Jubilee was founded basically to bring the Kenyan people together," he said.