Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been removed as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, with Migori Senator Eddy Oketch appointed to replace him.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced the changes in the House, saying he had received a letter dated July 16, 2026, from Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo confirming Sifuna’s removal and Oketch’s election to the position.

“By a letter dated the 16th of 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 said.

The changes come amid ongoing leadership changes within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where Sifuna has recently been critical of the party’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Despite his removal, Sifuna thanked his colleagues for their support during his time in office and congratulated his successor.

“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 Sen. Eddy Oketch for his new role,” Sifuna said.

The latest development comes just days after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) upheld ODM’s decision to remove Sifuna as the party’s Secretary-General, saying the process complied with the Political Parties Act and the party constitution.

However, Sifuna has challenged that decision in court, arguing that the process used to remove him did not follow the law or the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM’s) internal procedures.

The Senate Deputy Minority Whip works with the Minority Whip to mobilise senators, coordinate House business and ensure attendance during key votes.