NAIROBI,Kenya July 16 – The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition has moved to block attempts to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Deputy Minority Whip, escalating a bitter leadership dispute that has exposed fresh divisions within the opposition.

📻 Breaking It Down

In a letter dated July 16 to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, the coalition asked the Speaker not to act on any resolution arising from a contentious Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting held on Wednesday evening, arguing that the process violated both the coalition agreement and Senate procedures.

Signed by Azimio Coalition Council Chairperson Philip Kisia, the letter says the coalition has formally received complaints from member parties and senators over what it describes as attempts to interfere with its Senate leadership.

The coalition claims Minority Whip Ledama Ole Kina convened the meeting on short notice, informing senators at about 5.45 p.m. that a Parliamentary Group meeting would take place at 7.30 p.m. in his office without disclosing its agenda.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the letter, senators only learnt upon arrival that the meeting had been called to consider changes in the coalition’s Senate leadership, specifically the removal of Sifuna from his position as Deputy Minority Whip.

Azimio says the meeting ended in confusion after what it termed a “purported vote” supported by 11 senators, insisting the Senate Standing Orders require such a decision to be backed by a majority of all coalition members.

“The coalition agreement at Article 5D(3) provides that the leadership of the coalition parliamentary group shall be determined by the Coalition Council,” Kisia wrote.

The coalition further argued that ODM, whose senators reportedly formed the majority of those pushing for the changes, had earlier resolved to terminate its membership in the Azimio coalition, making the attempted leadership changes even more contentious.

Citing an ongoing dispute under Article 16 of the coalition agreement, Azimio urged Speaker Kingi to refrain from implementing any leadership changes until the coalition’s dispute resolution panel determines the matter.

The leadership wrangles unfolded amid reports of a physical confrontation between senators during Wednesday’s meeting inside Parliament.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya