NAIROBI, Kenya — Siaya Senator and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga Odinga has resigned as chairperson of the Senate Energy Committee, citing circumstances beyond his control but insisting that he was not removed from the position.
Oburu announced his resignation during a meeting of the committee on Tuesday, August 11, bringing his 18-month tenure as chairperson to an end.
The veteran politician did not disclose what circumstances prompted his decision, saying only that they were beyond his personal control.
He, however, moved quickly to dismiss any suggestion that he had been pushed out of the powerful Senate committee.
“The reasons (why I am vacating) are beyond my own self-control. I have resigned. Nobody should say that I have been removed. There is no coup here. There is only a peaceful transfer, and whoever you elect will peacefully take over. I thank everyone once again,” Oburu said.
His decision means he will continue serving as a member of the Energy Committee but will no longer lead its proceedings.
Following Oburu’s resignation, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang, who had been serving as vice-chairperson, was elected the new committee chairperson.
Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla of ODM was subsequently elected vice-chairperson.
Oburu was elected chairperson of the Senate Energy Committee on February 20, 2025, replacing Nyeri Senator Wamatinga Wahome, who had held the position for about 18 months.
His resignation therefore represents a leadership change within one of the Senate’s key oversight committees, which handles matters relating to energy policy, electricity, petroleum and other issues affecting the sector.
Oburu’s departure comes less than two months after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, an increasingly prominent political rival within ODM, was removed from the committee during a wider reshuffle of Senate standing committees.
The changes, announced by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot on June 17, saw Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ nominated to replace Sifuna.
Sifuna’s removal followed growing political differences between sections of ODM leadership and the Nairobi senator, who has emerged as one of the party’s more outspoken figures.
Oburu’s resignation is separate from that reshuffle, however, and the senator has explicitly said he was not removed from his position.
The resignation comes less than 24 hours after President William Ruto announced that Kenya Kwanza and ODM had formally agreed to work together as a coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ruto made the announcement on Monday, August 10, during a Broad-Based Government Principal Group media briefing, saying the agreement followed consultations within the respective political parties and formations.
The two sides are expected to develop a joint manifesto setting out their shared agenda for the 2027 election.
The emerging alliance has already begun reshaping Kenya’s political landscape, bringing together Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and ODM, which has traditionally been one of the country’s leading opposition formations.
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Oburu, as ODM’s party leader, is expected to play a central role in the party’s preparations and negotiations as the coalition takes shape.
Although Oburu did not link his resignation to the Kenya Kwanza-ODM agreement, the timing is likely to fuel political speculation over his next priorities.
His decision to relinquish the committee chairmanship could give him greater latitude to concentrate on ODM’s internal affairs, coalition negotiations and preparations for the 2027 election.
The move also comes at a time when ODM is navigating competing political interests within the party, including the positions of senior leaders who have taken different approaches to the emerging alliance with Ruto.
For now, Oburu remains a member of the Senate Energy Committee and retains his position as ODM party leader and Siaya senator.
The immediate task for the committee will be to adjust to its new leadership under Kisang as Oburu turns his attention to wider political responsibilities.
