Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been removed as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, with Migori Senator Eddy Oketch taking over the position following changes announced in the Senate on Thursday.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi communicated the changes after receiving official correspondence from Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo. Kingi said the communication included minutes of the meeting and a list of senators who supported the decision to replace Sifuna.
“The new office holder with immediate effect is Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch,” Kingi announced during the afternoon sitting.
The leadership reshuffle comes amid continued political realignments within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where Sifuna has recently found himself at the centre of internal disagreements over the party’s direction and leadership.
Sifuna, who has served as Nairobi Senator since 2022, was appointed Senate Deputy Minority Whip in February 2023.
The role involves assisting the Minority Leader in coordinating opposition business in the Senate, ensuring party discipline and mobilising members during debates and voting.
Eddy Oketch, now taking over the position, is serving his first term as Migori Senator and has increasingly emerged as a key figure within ODM’s parliamentary ranks.
The latest development follows months of tension within ODM. Earlier this year, Oketch had filed a petition seeking Sifuna’s removal from several party and parliamentary leadership positions, accusing him of misconduct and actions allegedly contrary to the party’s interests.
Although that petition was later withdrawn following internal consultations, differences within the party have persisted.
An attempt by some members of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition to halt Sifuna’s removal before the announcement was unsuccessful, with Speaker Kingi proceeding to formally communicate the leadership changes to the House.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Edwin Sifuna thanked the leadership and members for their cooperation during his tenure and congratulated Migori Senator Eddy Oketch on his appointment as his successor following his removal from the position.
“I thank the leadership and members for the cooperation they have given me during my time as the Deputy Senate Minority Whip. I congratulate my young brother Sen. Eddy Oketch for his new role,” Sifuna said.
