The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), led by Eugene Wamalwa, has announced plans to exit the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance Coalition, citing irreconcilable differences with some of its current members.
DAP-K’s decision stems primarily from the shifting political landscape, where key coalition member, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has increasingly aligned with the government, altering the opposition dynamics that originally unified Azimio.
Wamalwa made the announcement at a National Delegates Congress held in Webuye, Bungoma County, where he underscored the need for DAP-K to redefine its political path in light of these developments.
This move signals a significant shift within Kenya’s opposition forces, as DAP-K is not alone in reconsidering its association with Azimio.
Parties such as NARC-K and the Party of National Unity (PNU) have also hinted at their intention to pull away from the coalition, suggesting an emerging trend of smaller parties seeking more autonomous political identities.
For DAP-K, the shifting loyalty of ODM and other Azimio members towards the government has created a complex environment where shared opposition goals are increasingly difficult to maintain.
Wamalwa expressed that, under the present conditions, DAP-K’s ability to function effectively within Azimio has become untenable, as the coalition’s original objectives appear to be compromised.
In outlining the next steps for DAP-K, Wamalwa announced an upcoming nationwide membership registration drive.
The campaign will cover all 47 counties and aims to build a robust support base for the 2027 elections.
Through this drive, DAP-K hopes to solidify its grassroots presence and build momentum for fielding candidates across various political positions, including the presidency.
This move, ambitious as it may be, reflects the party’s aspirations to emerge as a major force in Kenya’s politics, moving beyond its initial coalition role to establish an independent identity and platform.
The drive aims to tap into growing public dissatisfaction with existing parties, particularly among voters disillusioned by the alliance shifts and coalition dynamics that have defined recent Kenyan politics.
Despite these plans, DAP-K and other parties still require formal approval from the Registrar of Political Parties to complete their withdrawal from Azimio.
The regulatory body will play a crucial role in determining the timing and formalization of the exit, making the upcoming period one of legal and procedural significance for DAP-K.
Until then, the party remains a member of Azimio in a technical sense, though its ideological and strategic orientation has already pivoted towards establishing an independent path.
DAP-K’s potential exit from Azimio highlights broader questions about coalition politics in Kenya, where alliances often face internal strains as parties recalibrate their positions.
While Azimio was originally conceived as a broad-based opposition coalition to check government power, evolving political allegiances have tested this unity.
For DAP-K, aligning itself with Azimio now poses challenges to its goals and values, particularly as it looks toward the 2027 elections with renewed purpose and a potential presidential bid.
This strategic repositioning could have ripple effects within Kenya’s political arena, possibly encouraging other parties within Azimio and other coalitions to reconsider their alliances based on shifting dynamics.
As the 2027 elections approach, the scenes of Kenyan opposition politics could see significant realignment.
DAP-K’s decision to pursue an independent course underscores the fluid nature of political alliances in Kenya, where parties continuously negotiate their positions in response to both ideological shifts and strategic imperatives.
This development may mark a turning point for DAP-K as it attempts to carve out a distinct identity, one that reflects the interests of its supporters while positioning itself as a formidable contender in the upcoming electoral cycle.
