Senate Speaker Removes Edwin Sifuna as Deputy Minority Whip

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced on July 16, 2026, the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Deputy Senate Minority Whip. Kingi appointed Migori Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch to the position, citing a formal communication from Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo regarding a July 15 party resolution that adhered to Senate Standing Orders.

The leadership shakeup follows a period of political realignment within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Sifuna's criticism of the party's rapprochement with the Kenya Kwanza administration. Separately, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties approved Sifuna's removal as ODM Secretary General on July 9, stating the action complied with the Political Parties Act and the party constitution.

The removal faced internal opposition from the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, which attempted to block the change. Coalition officials claimed the meeting convened by Minority Whip Ledama Ole Kina violated coalition agreements and lacked a proper agenda, reporting that the session ended in confusion and physical altercations. Sifuna has challenged the legality of his removal as Secretary General through his legal team, alleging that the Registrar ignored his responses and failed to follow procedural law.