Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been removed from the Senate Energy Committee, chaired by ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga, following a reshuffle of standing committees announced in the Senate on Wednesday, June 17.
The changes were presented by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who tabled a notice of motion seeking the reconstitution of several Senate committees.
Under the reshuffle, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang was nominated to replace Sifuna on the Energy Committee, ending the Nairobi lawmaker’s membership in the influential panel.
“I rise to give notice of the following motion, which seeks the reconstitution of standing committees and, notwithstanding the Senate resolution of February 12, 2025, seeks senators’ approval to serve in various committees,” Senator Cheruiyot said.
“In accordance with standing orders 197 and 191, the Senate approves the senators nominated by the Senate Business Committee to serve in its standing committees,” he added.
The Majority Leader also outlined other changes affecting different committees, including the ICT Committee, where Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu will replace Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla.
On the Energy Committee, Garissa County Senator Abdul Mohammed Haji has also been nominated to replace Senator Beatrice Ogolla, while Kajwang takes over Sifuna’s position.
Additionally, Senator Beatrice Ogolla has been nominated to the Agriculture Committee, replacing Kajwang after his transfer to the Energy Committee.
Senator Aaron Cheruiyot’s motion was handled by the Senate in line with parliamentary procedures.
The changes come amid growing tensions within ODM, where the breakaway ‘Linda Mwananchi’ faction has increasingly criticized Oburu over the party’s direction and future.
In the midst of the dispute, Sifuna has emerged as one of the leading voices opposing ODM’s political collaboration with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
While the Senate committee reshuffle is a routine reconstitution of committees, it is likely to fuel further speculation about the ongoing power struggle.