Edwin Sifuna, the outspoken Nairobi senator and Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has been removed from the Senate Energy Committee in a reshuffle that lays bare the growing tensions within Kenya’s largest opposition party.
The changes, announced on Wednesday, saw Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ take Sifuna’s place on the influential committee chaired by Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, a senior ODM figure and brother of party leader Raila Odinga.
The move effectively ends Sifuna’s role on a committee where he had emerged as one of the most vocal members, particularly during scrutiny of major energy and infrastructure matters. Among the issues he helped interrogate was the controversial proposal by India’s Adani Group to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a deal later terminated by the government.
The reshuffle also saw Garissa Senator Abdul Haji replace nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla on the Energy Committee, while Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu joined the Senate Information, Communication and Technology Committee. Ogolla was subsequently moved to the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee, replacing Kajwang’.
Unlike the other senators affected by the changes, Sifuna was not assigned to another committee. He now remains a member of only two Senate committees: the County Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Kajwang’, and the National Security, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo.
Announcing the changes in the Senate, Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said the appointments were made in accordance with Senate Standing Orders and recommendations from the Senate Business Committee.
The development comes amid a widening political dispute between Sifuna and Oburu over the direction of ODM and its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.
The two leaders have publicly disagreed over the party’s decision to cooperate with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) under the broad-based political arrangement formed after last year’s anti-government protests.
Sifuna has consistently argued for a stronger opposition posture, while leaders aligned with Oburu have favoured continued engagement with the government.
Their differences became increasingly public earlier this year when Sifuna questioned Oburu’s leadership role within the party.
“I refuse to be the SG of mediocrity. I refuse to be the SG of Oburu Oginga,” Sifuna said during a sharp criticism of sections of the ODM leadership. He also called for a properly constituted National Delegates Conference to elect party officials.
Within ODM, the disagreement reflects broader factional divisions. Sifuna is widely associated with the Linda Mwananchi camp, which advocates a more confrontational stance towards the government. Oburu is viewed as a leading voice in the Linda Ground faction, which supports engagement with President Ruto’s administration.
While Senate committee reshuffles are not uncommon, Sifuna’s removal from a committee chaired by one of his most prominent political rivals is likely to fuel further speculation about the balance of power within ODM as the party navigates an increasingly complex political landscape.
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