The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip and replaced him with Migori Senator Eddy Oketch.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced the changes during Thursday’s sitting after receiving a formal communication from Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo.
Kingi told the House that the letter, dated July 16, 2026, informed him of Sifuna’s removal and Oketch’s election to the position with immediate effect.
“By a letter dated July 16, 2026, I received correspondence from the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Stewart Madzayo, regarding the removal of Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Deputy Senate Minority Whip and the election of Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch to replace him,” Kingi said.
The Speaker said the decision complied with the Senate Standing Orders governing the removal of minority leadership.
He explained that the communication from the Minority Leader was accompanied by minutes of a minority party meeting held on July 15, 2026, as well as a signed list of senators who supported the resolution.
“The minutes indicate that a resolution was passed to remove the Deputy Senate Minority Whip, Senator Edwin Sifuna,” Kingi said.
Shortly after the announcement, Sifuna was seen shaking hands with Oketch in the Senate chamber, signalling a smooth transition.
As the new Deputy Senate Minority Whip, Oketch will assist in coordinating Minority Party business in the Senate, mobilising members during House sittings and votes, and supporting the Minority leadership in parliamentary affairs.
Sifuna’s removal comes barely a week after he was dropped as ODM Secretary-General.
On July 9, 2026, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) approved the party’s request to remove him from its leadership register and updated its official records.
The move followed a resolution by the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC), which accused Sifuna of gross misconduct and opposing the party’s cooperation agreement with President William Ruto’s administration.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
