Sifuna, Osotsi Purged From Powerful Senate Watchdog Committees in Latest Crackdown
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi have been ejected from two of the Senate’s most powerful oversight committees in what is being seen as the latest political purge targeting critics of the broad-based government.
The sweeping changes, approved on Tuesday during the reconstitution of Senate committees, saw Sifuna removed from the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), while Osotsi lost his influential position as chairperson of the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPISFC).
The two senators have emerged as leading voices in the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has openly opposed ODM’s cooperation agreement with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
According to the new changes, Sifuna has been reassigned to the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee, in what marks another major setback for the Nairobi senator after he was removed last week as Senate Deputy Minority Whip.
Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo of Kilifi has now replaced Sifuna in the prestigious County Public Accounts Committee, further consolidating his influence within the minority leadership.
Osotsi, on the other hand, has been moved to the Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism Committee after losing his chairmanship of the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee.
Taita Taveta Senator Johannes Mwaruma, who previously served as vice-chairperson of CPAC, has been transferred to the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee and is expected to succeed Osotsi as its new chairperson. Members are expected to elect their chairperson on Wednesday.
Defending the changes, Madzayo dismissed claims that the reshuffle was politically motivated, insisting that reconstitution of committees is a normal parliamentary procedure.
“This is a normal procedure. It is just that the changes have come at a time when the political temperatures are very high. This is just a coincidence,” Madzayo said.
However, last week Osotsi had already condemned plans to remove him, terming it a politically motivated witch-hunt orchestrated by sections of the ODM leadership and forces within the Executive.
He defended his record, saying his leadership had strengthened financial oversight of county governments.
“My performance has been exceptional. The committee has significantly improved oversight of county funds and these changes are part of a wider purge targeting party rebels,” Osotsi said. Osotsi was previously removed as ODM deputy party leader.
The County Public Accounts Committee examines reports from the Auditor General on county governments, while the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee oversees county corporations and special funds, making both among the most influential watchdog committees in Parliament.
Several other changes were announced by Narok Senator Ledama Olekina, the Minority Whip. Nominated Senator Crystal Asige was moved from Roads, Transportation and Housing to the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Committee. Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ was also moved from the Energy Committee to the ICT Committee.
Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian was transferred to the ICT Committee to fill the vacancy left by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch following his appointment as Senate Deputy Minority Whip after Sifuna’s removal.
Lamu Senator Joseph Githuku was moved from Health to the County Public Accounts Committee, while nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana was transferred from Trade to Roads. Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who served as Osotsi’s vice chairperson, was also removed from the County Public Investments Committee.
Analysts say the removal of Sifuna and Osotsi underscores the growing political realignment within ODM and the broad-based government, raising concerns about the Senate’s independence in scrutinising county finances.
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