After months of tension between Azimio coalition leaders and Raila Odinga, Eugene Wamalwa has announced that his party, the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), is officially withdrawing from the coalition.
Speaking at a KNEC meeting in Webuye on Saturday, Wamalwa stated, “As DAP-K, we can no longer maintain a relationship with those who do not share our values and who have consistently supported Zakayo in reintroducing burdensome taxes.”
Wamalwa pointed to the collaboration of some coalition members with the ruling Kenya Kwanza government as a factor contributing to the coalition’s declining popularity.
He also criticized their backing of Gachagua’s impeachment as another reason for his party’s departure.
He expressed disappointment in the newly formed Cabinet, which includes members from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), for supporting what he called President William Ruto’s poor governance.
“When John Mbadi proposes those taxes, it won’t just be seen as Ruto’s doing; it will reflect on our colleagues in ODM who have aligned with him,” he remarked.
Following this exit, Wamalwa announced that DAP-K would launch a nationwide recruitment drive for candidates to contest all electoral seats in the upcoming 2027 elections.
“With the support of our chairpersons from all 47 counties, we will begin an aggressive recruitment effort to prepare for the next elections,” he said.
Wamalwa emphasized that DAP-K plans to field candidates for all positions, from MCAs to MPs, Women Representatives, Governors, Senators, and even the presidency, with himself taking on the presidential candidacy for the August 10, 2027 election.
This decision comes after repeated calls from coalition leaders for Raila Odinga to reconsider his alignment with the government, particularly after four ODM members joined the administration they once opposed.
While Wamalwa and others requested that ODM withdraw from the coalition, this did not occur, prompting his decision to exit instead.
It remains uncertain whether other Azimio principals will follow Wamalwa’s lead and withdraw from the coalition.