Sifuna Loses Powerful Senate Position as ODM Makes Leadership Changes

The Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi has formally communicated a change in the Minority leadership, confirming the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Deputy Senate Minority Whip and the appointment of Migori Senator Eddie Oketch as his replacement.

Addressing the Senate, the Speaker said he had received official correspondence from Senate Minority Leader Senator Justice Stewart Madzayo on July 16, 2026, notifying him of the leadership changes in line with the Senate Standing Orders.

“Honourable Senators, by the letter dated 16th of July 2026, I received correspondence from the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Justice (Retired) Stewart Madzayo, EGH, MP, regarding changes in the Minority Party leadership affecting the office of the Deputy Senate Minority Whip,” Kingi stated.

Standing Orders Invoked

The Speaker explained that the process was undertaken in accordance with Standing Order 23(4), which allows members of the Minority Party to remove an elected office holder through a majority vote of all Minority Party senators.

He further cited Standing Order 23(6), which requires that any such decision be communicated to the Speaker in writing together with the minutes of the meeting where the resolution was adopted.

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“Standing Order 23(4) provides as follows: ‘A Senator elected under paragraph (1) may be removed by a majority of the votes of all Senators belonging to the Minority Party.’ Further, Standing Order 23(6) states as follows: ‘Upon a decision being made by the Minority Party under this Standing Order, the decision of the Party shall be communicated to the Speaker in writing, together with the minutes of the meeting at which the decision was made,” Kingi said.

The Speaker told senators that the correspondence from the Minority Leader was accompanied by the minutes of the Minority Party meeting held on July 15, 2026, as well as a duly signed list of senators supporting the resolution.

Resolution Passed by Minority Party

According to the Speaker, the meeting resolved to remove Senator Edwin Sifuna from the position of Deputy Senate Minority Whip and subsequently elected Senator Eddie Oketch to fill the vacancy.

“The minutes indicate that a resolution was passed to remove the Deputy Senate Minority Whip, Senator Edwin Sifuna, in accordance with Standing Order 23(4). The minutes further indicate the Minority Party elected Senator Eddie Oketch, to serve as the Deputy Senate Minority Whip in his place, pursuant to Standing Order 23(5),” the statement read.

The Speaker noted that Standing Order 23(7) requires him to verify the correspondence before communicating the decision to the Senate within three sitting days.

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Change Takes Immediate Effect

After confirming that the documentation met the procedural requirements, the Speaker officially announced the leadership change, making Senator Eddie Oketch the new Deputy Senate Minority Whip with immediate effect.

“Standing Order 23(7) provides as follows: ‘The Speaker, upon receipt of the decision under paragraph (6), shall verify the correspondence received and deliver a communication to the Senate within three sitting days.’ In this regard, I have verified the correspondence received and hereby communicate that the Minority Party has effected a change in the office of the Deputy Senate Minority Whip. The new office holder, with immediate effect, is Senator Eddie Oketch,” Kingi concluded.

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Senate Speaker Amason Kingi at a past sitting. PHOTO/Senate