Inside chaotic night meeting that sealed Sifuna’s senate ouster
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was removed as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip following a chaotic parliamentary group meeting. Despite protests from the Azimio coalition, Speaker Amason Kingi formally confirmed the appointment of Eddy Oketch to the position.
Why it matters
Internal leadership shifts within major political coalitions impact legislative strategy and opposition influence in the Kenyan Senate.
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A chaotic night parliamentary group meeting marked by shouting, chaos and a near-fistfight preceded the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip.
The turmoil culminated on Thursday when Senate Speaker Amason Kingi formally announced Sifuna's removal and named Migori Senator Eddy Oketch as the new Deputy Minority Whip.
"I have verified the correspondence received and hereby communicate that the minority party has effected a change in the Office of the Deputy Senate Minority Whip,” Kingi said.
“The new office holder, with immediate effect, is Sen Eddy Gicheru Oketch, MP," Kingi announced as senators allied to the broad-based government coalition thumped their feet in approval.
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