Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been removed as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, with Migori Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch elected to replace him following changes within the Senate Minority coalition.
The leadership transition was formally announced by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi during a plenary sitting after he received official communication from Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, accompanied by minutes of a Minority coalition meeting and a resolution approving the change.
Addressing the House, Speaker Kingi said the process complied with the Senate Standing Orders governing changes to Minority leadership.
“By a letter dated 16th July 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 told senators.
The Speaker further informed the House that the accompanying documents confirmed the Minority coalition had resolved to replace Sifuna with Oketch, with the changes taking effect immediately.
The leadership change comes amid broader political realignments within the opposition. However, the official communication presented to the Senate did not state the reasons behind Sifuna’s removal, focusing instead on the procedural requirements for effecting the transition.
Sifuna, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has in recent months been among the party’s most outspoken leaders on national political issues, particularly regarding ODM’s engagement with President William Ruto’s administration. Neither the Minority coalition nor ODM has officially linked his removal to those positions.
Following the announcement, Sifuna accepted the decision and congratulated his successor, thanking fellow senators for their support during his tenure.
“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, Senator Eddy Oketch, on his new role,” Sifuna said after the announcement.
Oketch, who is serving his first term as Migori Senator, will now assist the Minority leadership in coordinating legislative business, mobilising senators during debates and voting, and supporting the coalition’s parliamentary agenda in accordance with the Senate Standing Orders.
Despite the leadership reshuffle, Sifuna remains the elected Senator for Nairobi County and continues to serve as ODM Secretary-General. The changes affect only his role within the Senate Minority leadership and do not alter his constitutional mandate as a senator.
The transition marks the latest adjustment in the organisation of the Senate Minority leadership as opposition parties continue to reorganise their parliamentary ranks. While the political implications of the reshuffle have attracted public interest, the official process presented before the Senate centred on compliance with parliamentary procedures rather than the motivations behind the leadership change.