Martha Karua's Narc Kenya Announces Departure from Azimio Coalition

Narc Kenya has formally announced its withdrawal from the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

The party's acting secretary general Asha Bashir on Thursday conveyed this decision through an official letter addressed to the coalition's secretary general Junet Mohammed. The party cites "prevailing political developments" as the primary reason for their departure, invoking the exit clauses in the coalition agreement to make the withdrawal effective immediately. Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua confirms this decision on social media, stating that their continued participation in the coalition is no longer tenable.

This announcement comes as a surprise, particularly in light of Karua's recent assurances during a radio interview that her relationship with coalition leader Raila Odinga remained strong. The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, under Raila Odinga's leadership, has been a central force in Kenya's political landscape. However, internal tensions within the coalition have escalated due to various factors. One key issue has been the consistent rejection of President William Ruto's proposed Government of National Unity (GNU) by Narc Kenya and Wiper party allies.

This proposal emerged following a series of street protests triggered by the passage of the controversial Finance Bill in 2024. Following the Occupy Parliament protests, Ruto declined to sign the Finance Bill and subsequently dismissed his entire Cabinet, with one exception. He then referred the Bill back to Parliament, recommending the deletion of all contentious clauses, and embarked on widespread consultations before unveiling what he termed a "broad-based government." On July 19 and 24, Ruto announced his new Cabinet nominees, retaining six former Cabinet Secretaries and including four ODM members in key positions.

This move has significantly altered the political dynamics, potentially influencing Narc Kenya's decision to exit the coalition. The withdrawal is likely to trigger further political realignments and defections as Kenya approaches its next general elections. While Raila Odinga's willingness to withdraw his candidacy for the African Union Commission is viewed positively, the broader implications of this move remain uncertain.