The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has formally completed its withdrawal from the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition and moved to reorganise its leadership in the Nairobi City County Assembly. The party announced new appointments to key positions, including the Majority Party Whip’s office, following confirmation from the political parties regulator that its exit from the coalition took effect on June 10, 2026.
However, the changes have since faced a legal challenge. A tribunal issued temporary orders stopping the implementation of the disputed leadership changes pending further proceedings.
Highlights
- ODM’s exit from Azimio took effect on June 10, 2026, according to the Registrar of Political Parties.
- The party appointed Stazo Omung’ala Elijah Ang’ila as Nairobi County Assembly Majority Whip.
- Evans Okaru Nyangicha was named Deputy Majority Whip, while Catherine Apiyo Okoth was appointed to the County Assembly Service Board.
- Moses Ogeto challenged his removal, with the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal temporarily stopping the changes.
- The dispute is scheduled for an inter partes hearing on November 23, 2026.
Main Story
ODM Completes Withdrawal From Azimio
ODM has formally ended its membership in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, bringing to a close a withdrawal process that had been signalled by its leadership earlier in the year.
In a confirmation communicated by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), the party was declared to have met the legal requirements for leaving the coalition.
The regulator stated that ODM ceased being an Azimio member on June 10, 2026, following the applicable provisions of the Political Parties Act and the coalition agreement.
The development followed months of disagreements within Azimio over its leadership and internal decision-making.
In February, ODM leader Oburu Oginga had indicated that the party intended to complete the formal withdrawal process, arguing that major decisions within the coalition could not be made without ODM’s involvement.
ODM Announces Changes to Nairobi Assembly Leadership
In letters dated October 27, 2026, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen notified Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Kenneth Ng’ondi of changes affecting the party’s leadership in the House.
One of the appointments involved Catherine Apiyo Okoth, a nominated MCA, who was named as ODM’s representative of the Majority Party/Coalition in the Nairobi City County Assembly Service Board.
The party said the appointment was intended to align its representation on the board with the new political arrangements following its departure from Azimio.
ODM also named Upper Savanna MCA Stazo Omung’ala Elijah Ang’ila as the new Majority Party Whip, replacing Moses Nyangaresi Ogeto.
Imara Daima MCA Evans Okaru Nyangicha was appointed Deputy Majority Party Whip, taking over the position previously held by Ang’ila.
In its communication, the party asked the Speaker to implement the appointments in line with the County Assembly’s Standing Orders and relevant legal procedures.
Moses Ogeto Challenges His Removal
The proposed changes have since triggered a dispute involving Ogeto, who challenged his removal from the Majority Whip position.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal issued temporary orders on November 9, stopping ODM, the Nairobi County Assembly Speaker and the Assembly from implementing the disputed leadership changes before the case is heard and determined.
The orders effectively preserve Ogeto’s position for the time being, pending further proceedings.
The tribunal has scheduled an inter partes hearing for November 23, 2026, when the parties are expected to present their arguments.
Ogeto, who has served as an MCA since 2013, is reported to have moved towards Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement. The dispute has therefore brought questions about party allegiance and the authority to make changes to Assembly leadership positions into focus.Â
Oburu Had Earlier Signalled ODM’s Exit
ODM’s withdrawal from Azimio followed months of disagreements over the coalition’s leadership and internal arrangements.
In February 2026, Oburu Oginga said ODM would complete the formal process of leaving the coalition, arguing that decisions affecting Azimio could not be made without the party’s participation.
The party subsequently initiated the withdrawal process through its National Executive Committee before the Registrar of Political Parties confirmed that its membership had ended on June 10.
The exit and the Nairobi Assembly reshuffle now form part of wider political changes unfolding within ODM as different leaders and factions position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.Â
ODM’s departure from Azimio has now moved beyond coalition politics and into the leadership structures of Nairobi’s County Assembly. But with the tribunal temporarily halting the changes, the next court session could determine whether the party’s new appointments will take effect or face further legal hurdles.
