Sifuna Ousted as Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Eddy Oketch Takes Over

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been removed as Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate and replaced by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch. 

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced the change after receiving and verifying a resolution submitted by the Minority Party. Kingi told the Senate that the decision followed a Minority Party meeting held on 15 July, where members voted to remove Sifuna in accordance with Standing Order 23(4). 

The Speaker said he received the meeting minutes together with a signed list of senators supporting the resolution before confirming the appointment. He informed the House that the Standing Orders allow the removal of a Minority Party office holder when it is backed by a majority of minority senators. 

"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 Eddy Oketch," Kingi said.

The change comes after several other positions held by Sifuna were withdrawn in recent weeks. Last month, he lost his position as Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after the Registrar of Political Parties approved the party's decision following accusations of insubordination. 

He was also removed from the Senate Energy Committee, chaired by ODM leader Oburu Odinga, and replaced by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang. Despite these changes, Sifuna remains a member of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee and the Senate National Security, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee. The Deputy Minority Whip plays an important role in coordinating the work of the minority coalition in the Senate. 

The office is responsible for organising attendance during key debates, mobilising members for votes and helping to manage the coalition's legislative business. Oketch's appointment places him in charge of these responsibilities with immediate effect.