NAIROBI, Kenya, June 17 – Orange Democratic Movement Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has been removed from the Senate Energy Committee in a reshuffle of standing committees announced on Wednesday, deepening the fallout between the Nairobi Senator and ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga.
Sifuna was replaced by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ in the committee, which is chaired by Oburu, the Siaya Senator. The changes were communicated by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who cited recommendations by the Senate Business Committee and provisions of the Senate Standing Orders.
Under the reshuffle, Garissa Senator Abdul Haji was also nominated to the Energy Committee, replacing nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla. Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu was moved to the Senate Information, Communication and Technology Committee, taking over from Ogolla, who was subsequently nominated to the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee in place of Kajwang’.
The Nairobi Senator has been one of the most outspoken members of the Energy Committee and played a prominent role in scrutinising the controversial Adani Group proposal to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before the government eventually terminated the deal.
Unlike the other senators affected by the changes, Sifuna was not reassigned to another committee. He will now serve only in the Senate County Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Kajwang’, and the Senate National Security, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo.
“Notwithstanding the resolution of the Senate made on February 12, 2025, on the approval of senators to serve in various standing committees of the Senate and pursuant to Standing Orders 197, 199, 228 and the Fourth Schedule to the Standing Orders, the Senate has approved the following senators nominated by the Senate Business Committee to serve in various committees,” Cheruiyot told the House.
Sifuna’s removal comes amid growing tensions with Oburu over the leadership and direction of ODM, particularly the party’s decision to work with President William Ruto’s administration under the broad-based arrangement with UDA.
Earlier this year, Sifuna publicly stated that he was uncomfortable serving under Oburu’s leadership following his elevation to the position of ODM Party Leader after Raila Odinga stepped aside from the role.
The committee changes also reflect widening divisions within ODM. Sifuna is associated with the party’s Linda Mwananchi faction, which has maintained a critical stance towards the Kenya Kwanza administration, while Oburu is viewed as a leading figure in the Linda Ground camp that supports continued engagement with the government.
The differences between the two camps have become increasingly public in recent months, with Sifuna repeatedly criticising sections of the party leadership over ODM’s relationship with President Ruto’s administration.
