Sifuna Removed From Lucrative Senate Energy Committee Chaired By Oburu

Embattled ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has been removed from the Senate Energy Committee, chaired by ODM leader Oburu Oginga.

The Nairobi Senator has been replaced by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ in the reshuffle effected on Wednesday.

The move means Sifuna will no longer serve on the committee chaired by Oburu, who is also the Siaya Senator.

Oburu and Sifuna have had infighting over the running of the ODM party and the decision to enter into a coalition agreement with President William Ruto’s UDA.

In the changes, Garissa Senator Abdul Haji replaced nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla in the Energy Committee, while Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu was nominated to the Senate Information, Communication and Technology Committee, also replacing Ogolla.

Ogolla, in turn, replaced Kajwang in the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee.

Unlike the other senators affected by the reshuffle, Sifuna was not reassigned to another committee, leaving him with membership in only two committees — 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.

Announcing the changes, Senate Majority Leader Cheruiyot cited provisions of the Senate Standing Orders and a recommendation by the Senate Business Committee.

“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,” said Cheruiyot.

Sifuna’s removal comes against the backdrop of an increasingly public fallout with Oburu.

Earlier this year, the Nairobi Senator openly declared that he was unwilling to serve under Oburu’s leadership of ODM following his elevation as party leader after Raila Odinga’s exit from the position.

Sifuna has been one of the most vocal members of the Energy Committee and was among senators who aggressively questioned the controversial Adani Group proposal involving the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before the government eventually terminated the deal.

The committee changes come amid widening divisions within ODM.

Sifuna is associated with the party’s Linda Mwananchi faction, while Oburu is seen as a key figure in the Linda Ground camp. The two factions have increasingly differed over the party’s relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.

While Sifuna’s allies have maintained a hardline opposition stance and continue to criticise the broad-based arrangement between ODM and Kenya Kwanza, the Oburu camp has been viewed as supportive of continued engagement with the government.

The differences were laid bare in March when Sifuna launched a scathing attack on sections of the party leadership.

“I refuse to be the SG of mediocrity. I refuse to be the SG of Oburu Oginga. These characters do not deserve me. Let them ask for a proper NDC where we shall present candidates for all the party positions,” he said.