Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been dropped from the Senate Energy Committee chaired by Orange Democratic Movement (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.
As part of the changes, Moses Kajwang has been nominated to take over Sifuna's slot in the Energy Committee, effectively ending the Nairobi Senator's tenure in the committee.
“I rise to give notice of the following motion, which is a reconstitution of standing committees that, notwithstanding the resolution of the Senate made on February 12, 2025, is the approval of senators to serve in various committees,” Cheruiyot stated.
“Pursuant to standing orders 197 and 191, the Senate approves the following senators nominated by the Senate Business Committee to serve in the standing committees of the Senate,” he added.
Cheruiyot also detailed changes in other committees, including the ICT Committee, where Agnes Kavindu has been nominated to replace Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla.
Within the Energy Committee, Abdul Mohamed Haji has also been nominated to replace Ogolla, while Kajwang assumes the position previously held by Sifuna.
Meanwhile, Ogolla has been nominated to join the Agriculture Committee, taking over from Kajwang after his move to the Energy Committee.
The Senate Energy Committee is currently chaired by Oburu. The proposed committee changes by Cheruiyot will take effect once they receive formal approval from the Senate in accordance with parliamentary procedures.
The committee changes come at a time when internal disagreements within ODM continue to play out publicly.
In recent months, members of the breakaway Linda Mwananchi faction have intensified criticism of Oburu, questioning the party's current trajectory and leadership decisions.
At the centre of the debate is Sifuna, who has become one of the most prominent figures defending and explaining ODM's working relationship with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) administration.
Although Senate committee reshuffles are a standard parliamentary process, Sifuna's exit from the Energy Committee is expected to spark fresh debate and speculation over the underlying dynamics within the party.
