Nominated Senator Veronica Maina has been appointed to replace Karanja, with the changes taking effect immediately.
The development was communicated to the Senate by Speaker Amason Kingi during Wednesday's sitting, November 4, 2026.
Kingi informed lawmakers that he had received a formal letter from Senate Majority Whip David Wakoli detailing a resolution passed by the Majority Party during a meeting held on Tuesday, November 3.
The correspondence was accompanied by minutes of the meeting and a list of senators who supported the decision to remove Karanja from the leadership position.
According to the Speaker, the decision was made in accordance with Standing Order 22(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, which allows members of the Majority Party to remove a senator elected to a designated leadership position through a majority vote.
Following her removal, the Majority Party elected Veronica Maina to take over the position under Standing Order 22(6).
Karanja's removal comes less than a month after she announced her departure from UDA to join former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
On October 9, the Nakuru senator declared that she would contest the Nakuru gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election on a DCP ticket.
Her departure marked a political shift, particularly given that she had been elected to the Senate on a UDA ticket in 2022.
Meanwhile, Veronica Maina now takes over the influential Senate position as political realignments continue ahead of the 2027 elections.
Karanja, however, retains her position as the elected Senator representing Nakuru County.
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