A section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) senators has rejected the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Deputy Senate Minority Whip, terming the decision illegal and accusing party leaders of disregarding both ODM procedures and Azimio coalition rules.
Led by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, the lawmakers claimed the leadership changes were pushed through using an irregular process and alleged that Sifuna was targeted because of his opposition to the broad-based political arrangement between ODM and President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration. They also accused the State House of interfering in parliamentary affairs.
Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, Osotsi said senators had received invitations to a high-level lunch before learning that legislators aligned to the broad-based arrangement had met President Ruto.
"Terms the removal of Edwin Watenya Sifuna as Deputy Party Minority Whip is illegal. We as Azimio senators, yesterday received a message of invitation to a high-level lunch as it was revealed that Senators in a broad-based group were in a meeting with President Ruto," Osotsi said.
He maintained that no legitimate Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting had been planned before Sifuna's removal was introduced.
"During Raila Odinga's funeral, we never had a PG meeting. In that meeting, we were shocked to learn that there was only one agenda to remove Sifuna. The convening of the meeting was illegal and it was improper."
Osotsi said a second meeting was later called through the ODM senators' WhatsApp forum, where members were informed that the only agenda was Sifuna's removal.
"After that, a message was posted in ODM Senators' WhatsApp forum by Ledama Olekina requesting for a PG meeting at night 7:30 PM. We attended and were told there was only one agenda to remove Sifuna. The majority of the senators questioned the process."
He alleged that despite objections, party leaders pressed ahead with the meeting. According to him, only 10 of the 21 senators present signed in support of the changes.
"Out of the 21 Senators who attended the meeting, only 10 appended their names to the list of his removal. The rest of us did not and the meeting did not have the resolutions and it was not properly done."
Osotsi faulted the Senate Speaker for announcing the changes despite what he described as procedural flaws and argued that Azimio coalition principals should have been consulted before any leadership changes were effected.
He also claimed the events reflected a wider crisis within ODM.
"My Party ODM is bleeding, it has lost direction. The party has descended into a tribal party club. Removing Sifuna to replace someone from a different club because he is not supporting the broadbased."
Osotsi further accused President Ruto of interfering with Parliament.
"President Ruto you're doing many wrongs in this country but leave Parliament alone. The effort that has been used to remove just one person from a seat is out of this world."
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo also dismissed the leadership changes, saying due process had not been followed.
"The proper procedures were never followed and it was more of intimidation making this choice. Sifuna has been illegally removed and this country needs to come back to it's sanity."
Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu questioned the late-night Parliamentary Group meeting, describing it as unnecessary and unacceptable.
"It was shocking a PG meeting called at 7:30PM... this was a meeting which was uncalled for, unacceptable," she said, adding, "We need liberty and we do not want to be controlled by the State house."
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah alleged that senators supporting the broad-based arrangement acted under instructions from State House and insisted the vote lacked sufficient backing.
"Only 10 appended their signatures to remove Sifuna, some of us resisted and we tore those voting papers because it was absolutely nothing. We cannot accept to be turned into appendix of the government."
Omtatah vowed to challenge the leadership changes and push for Sifuna's reinstatement.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the dispute pointed to a wider erosion of parliamentary independence.
"We are worried about where our country is heading. The Senate and National Assembly have been castrated," he said.
He added that Sifuna had been targeted because of his position on national issues, warning that the developments should concern all Kenyans.
The lawmakers insisted they would continue challenging the changes, maintaining that Sifuna's removal did not comply with ODM procedures, Azimio coalition agreements or parliamentary rules, setting the stage for a fresh political battle within the opposition.