Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has resigned from his leadership position within the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, saying it is time to allow the next generation to steer the political alliance.

In a letter dated October 5, Uhuru formally notified Azimio leaders of his resignation, which he said took effect immediately following the official handover of the Jubilee Party leadership.

The retired President, however, said his decision should not be interpreted as abandoning the coalition or the political journey that brought its constituent parties together.

“This decision is not a departure from our shared political journey, but a necessary step in the continuous renewal of our democratic institutions,” Uhuru said.

He described Azimio as more than a temporary political arrangement, saying its formation was anchored on the need for Kenya’s diverse political voices to work together in protecting democracy and advancing national development.

“When we came together to form Azimio, we were guided by a profound truth: a coalition is not merely a temporary alliance of convenience; it is a permanent covenant of conviction,” he said.

Uhuru used the image of a river to explain his view of coalition politics, saying individual parties could retain their identities while working towards a common goal.

“In a coalition, political parties are like tributaries joining a great river. The tributaries do not lose their unique identity when they merge; rather, they combine their waters to form a current strong enough to shape the landscape,” he said.

He said his role in the Azimio leadership had been to help guide the coalition and guard it against internal divisions.

“My role in this leadership has been to help guide that confluence, to ensure our waters ran clear, and to protect the riverbed from the erosion of internal division,” Uhuru said.

The retired President said leadership should not be about holding onto positions indefinitely, urging Azimio to create space for a new generation of leaders.

“Leadership is not the clinging to the front of the current; it is the courage to step aside and allow the next generation to navigate the waters,” he said.

Uhuru also urged the coalition to remain broad and inclusive, saying it should provide political space for Kenyans who believe in the rule of law and democratic governance.

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He expressed confidence in Azimio’s collective strength despite relinquishing his leadership position.

“I step down from this office with a heart full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, and with absolute confidence in the collective strength of this coalition,” he said.

Uhuru further reassured Azimio leaders that he would remain part of the coalition and would be available to offer advice when called upon.

“I remain, as always, a committed member of the Azimio family, ready to support the institution from the ranks, and always available to offer counsel when called upon,” he said.

His resignation follows the formal handover of the Jubilee Party leadership and marks a significant change in the former President’s role within the opposition coalition.