Power, Trust and Survival: What Kalonzo and Oburu Discussed Behind Closed Doors

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Political activity around the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party continued to gather pace on Friday as senior figures held discreet engagements away from the public eye.

The meeting, held in Machakos, came at a time when internal realignments and sharp disagreements are reshaping the coalition’s leadership structure and future direction.

Sources familiar with the discussions said the talks were conducted behind closed doors, fueling speculation over their timing and intent.

The Machakos engagement drew attention because it involved two influential figures from parties that form the backbone of the Azimio coalition, at a moment when unity within the alliance is under strain.

Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of Wiper Democratic Movement, met privately with Oburu Odinga, a senior figure in the Orange Democratic Movement.

The meeting took place in Machakos and is understood to have focused on the deepening leadership dispute within the Azimio coalition.

While neither camp issued an official statement immediately after the talks, insiders indicated that the discussions revolved around the coalition’s governance structure, decision making processes, and the role of key principals as Azimio navigates its position in the evolving political landscape.

The leadership wrangles have pitted different factions against each other, with accusations of sidelining, unilateral decisions, and lack of consultation dominating recent exchanges.

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Kalonzo, who has previously expressed dissatisfaction with how the coalition is being run, has repeatedly insisted on respect for coalition agreements and inclusivity among principals.

His allies argue that Azimio risks losing political relevance if internal cohesion is not restored and leadership questions addressed openly.

On the other hand, Oburu, a close ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga, has been at the center of efforts to defend the current coalition leadership arrangement.

The ODM wing maintains that Azimio must adapt to the realities of the broad-based political environment and avoid internal battles that could weaken its bargaining power nationally.

The Machakos talks are now being interpreted as an attempt to cool tensions and explore common ground amid growing uncertainty about Azimio’s future.

As Azimio continues to grapple with leadership disagreements, the Kalonzo-Oburu engagement underscores the delicate balancing act facing opposition alliances in Kenya’s fluid political environment.

Whether the talks will translate into tangible unity or merely delay an inevitable showdown remains to be seen.