President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga have struck a high-stakes power-sharing deal that will see Raila’s allies take over key National Assembly committees, reshaping the balance of power in Parliament. However, Channel 15 News can now reveal that Wiper Democratic Movement, a key Azimio coalition partner, has been left out of the arrangement, sparking discontent within Kalonzo Musyoka’s camp.
These developments come in the wake of Raila Odinga’s failed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship—a campaign that had the full backing of President Ruto’s administration. The collapse of Raila’s continental ambitions appears to have set the stage for fresh political negotiations, culminating in this latest power shift.
Sources: Wiper locked out of key positions
Multiple sources within Parliament indicate that while ODM and Jubilee secured top committee leadership positions, Wiper MPs were not included in the final allocation. A senior Wiper legislator, who spoke to Channel 15 News on condition of anonymity, described the deal as “a betrayal,” saying their party was not consulted.
“The agreement was sealed at the highest level between Ruto and Raila, but when it came to distributing committee leadership, Wiper was completely sidelined. We have been loyal to the opposition, yet we are being treated as outsiders,” the legislator lamented.
Azimio secures key committees, Gachagua allies ousted
Under the agreement, Azimio will now control some of the most influential committees in the National Assembly, previously chaired by allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. These include:
- Budget and Appropriation Committee
- Health Committee
- Trade and Industry Committee
- Labour Committee
- Regional Integration Committee
Azimio has also been granted the right to appoint five vice-chairs of its choice, further strengthening its hold on parliamentary affairs.
Wetang’ula impeachment bid dropped
Another key element of the agreement is Azimio’s decision to withdraw its push to impeach National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. Sources indicate that this was a major point of negotiation, as the impeachment motion had threatened to divide Parliament along partisan lines.
Raila’s gain, Kalonzo’s dilemma
With Raila’s ODM and its allies securing strategic parliamentary positions, Kalonzo’s Wiper party now finds itself politically vulnerable within Azimio. The exclusion raises speculation about Wiper’s future in the coalition, especially as Kalonzo positions himself for the 2027 presidential race.
A political strategist close to Wiper told Channel 15 News, “This deal leaves Wiper in an awkward position. Kalonzo has been trying to build his credibility as the next opposition leader, but Raila’s direct engagement with Ruto suggests that the political ground is shifting. Wiper needs to reassess its strategy going forward.”
Gachagua camp weakened
While Wiper feels sidelined, the biggest loser in this new power arrangement remains Rigathi Gachagua and his allies, who have lost control of the most powerful parliamentary committees. Analysts see this as a calculated move by President Ruto to further weaken Gachagua’s political base, consolidating his grip on government ahead of the 2027 elections.
As these political realignments take shape, all eyes are now on Kalonzo Musyoka. Will he push back against Raila’s new deal, or will he seek alternative alliances? Channel 15 News will continue monitoring these developments closely.
