Sifuna, Osotsi removed from powerful Senate Committees

The reconstitution of Senate Committees by the broad-based government is likely to weaken parliamentary oversight by creating a more compliant legislative environment, eroding checks and balances and reducing aggressive scrutiny of public expenditures.

 Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi who are senior members of the Linda Mwananchi team have been moved from their powerful Senate committee positions in what signals the broad-based government seeking to reward loyal members.

Osotsi has been moved from the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee, where he has been serving as the Chairperson for the last four years and transferred to the Trade, Industrialization and Tourism Committee, where he will serve as a member.

Sifuna who is a harsh critic of the current administration has been moved as a member of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) and transferred to the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee just few days after been removed as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip.

Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo has taken over Sifuna’s position in the significant Senate County Public Accounts Committee in what appears as a move to ensure that the Linda Mwanachi bigwig has little influence in Senate Committees.

Madzayo who defended the changes, said that the reconstitution of some of the committees was long overdue, adding that it is a normal procedure which is carried out to ensure effective and also to give members an opportunity to serve in various committees.

“I would like to state that the changes that we have carried out in the Senate Committees are just normal, only that they have come when the country is politically charged,  this is to give members a chance to serve in various committees for effectiveness,” said Madzayo.

Taita Taveta Senator Joahnnes Mwaruma, who has been serving as the Vice Chairperson of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee, has been moved to the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee, where he will take over as Chairperson.

Lamu Senator Joseph Githuku has been moved from the Senate National Cohesion, Equal Opportunities and Regional Integration Committee to the Senate County Public Accounts Committee.

Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian has been moved to the Senate Information, Communication and Technology Committee taking over from Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who took over the role of Senate Deputy Minority Whip following Sifuna's removal.

Nominated Senator Crystal Asige and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang have been moved from the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee to the Information, Communication Technology (ICT) committee.

Osotsi, who was speaking on the floor of the house on Thursday, accused the ODM Party leadership of displaying dictatorial tendencies and going against the values the party founder Former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga, stood for for many years he was in the trenches.

“If anyone wants to remove any member from any parliamentary committee, they should bring a substantive motion to the floor of the house instead of inciting and intimidating members to sign a petition to remove them, which is currently circulating around,” said Osotsi.

Sifuna was last week removed as Senate Deputy Minority Whip following a communication made in the house by Kingi after an acrimonious night meeting at Parliament buildings and an earlier meeting at State House where the decision to kick him out is said to have been made.

The Nairobi Senator was two weeks ago removed as ODM Party Secretary General in a decision communicated by the Registrar of Political Parties after he was accused by a section of the party members allied to ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga for insubordination.

Sifuna was last month removed as a member of the Senate Energy Committee chaired by Senator Oburu and replaced by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, which showed the escalating tension between the Nairobi Senator and Siaya Senator.

“We will continue speaking the truth about the failures of this administration even if they punish us. Jesus said when someone takes your coat, give him your shirt too. I congratulate my younger brother Eddy; it is now going to be his job to whip members to raise quorum,” said Sifuna.