Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is stepping back into the political arena, aiming to prevent the complete collapse of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

Amid growing tensions and allegations, Kenyatta is set to convene a critical meeting with the coalition’s affiliate parties, seeking to address the crisis that has gripped the opposition in recent weeks.

The tension within Azimio escalated after some members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), led by Raila Odinga, were appointed to President William Ruto's Cabinet.

This move has sparked discontent among other coalition parties, leading to whispers of betrayal and plans to exit the alliance. The once formidable opposition coalition now teeters on the brink of disintegration.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka acknowledged the brewing storm, admitting that there were indeed challenges within Azimio. However, he quickly downplayed the severity of the situation, attributing the friction to the democratic process. 

“Political parties often have divergent views, and Azimio is no exception,” Musyoka stated on Thursday during the Africa Youth Forum 2024 in Nairobi. He emphasised that the coalition was not on its deathbed, despite the mounting pressure from within.

Musyoka revealed that Uhuru Kenyatta, as the chairman of the Azimio Council, the coalition’s highest decision-making body, would soon call for a meeting to deliberate on the issues causing division. This gathering is seen as a last-ditch effort to restore unity and prevent the coalition’s disintegration.

 “We need to talk openly and comprehensively,” Musyoka added, indicating that the talks would aim to iron out differences that have plagued the coalition.

The internal discord within Azimio became public when Raila Odinga, the coalition’s leader, hinted that Uhuru Kenyatta had played a role in pushing him to reconcile with President William Ruto.

Odinga’s remarks came after he faced criticism from supporters who accused him of betraying the opposition’s cause. Odinga clarified that there was no “handshake” between him and Ruto, but rather a necessity to ensure national unity during a period of intense anti-government protests.

Odinga defended the decision to engage with Ruto, stating, “When the country was burning, Uhuru called and told me to look for Ruto and speak to him; if the country burns, we won't have another.” 

Despite Odinga’s efforts to mitigate the backlash, the fallout has been significant. 

Martha Karua, who was Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 presidential election, has already taken steps to withdraw her Narc-Kenya party from the coalition. In a letter dated July 25, Karua notified Azimio of her party’s decision, citing untenable political developments as the reason for the exit.

The ripple effect has been felt across the coalition, with Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa also hinting at a possible departure. 

Wamalwa this week suggested that his party could soon follow in Narc-Kenya’s footsteps, further fragmenting the coalition. The Party of National Unity (PNU) has also signalled its intention to leave Azimio, contributing to the growing sense of uncertainty.

Kalonzo Musyoka remains hopeful that the upcoming meeting, led by Uhuru Kenyatta, will offer a platform to address the concerns of all parties involved. 

However, the stakes are high, and the future of Azimio la Umoja hangs in the balance. The coalition, which once stood as a unified opposition force, now faces the very real possibility of disintegration.