A major change has taken place in the Senate leadership, with Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja losing her influential position. Another senator has already been selected to take over, following a decision by the Senate Majority Party.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi formally announced the leadership change on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, confirming that Veronica Maina would replace Karanja as Deputy Senate Majority Leader with immediate effect.
The decision followed a resolution passed by the Majority Party, which communicated the changes to the Speaker through Senate Majority Whip David Wakoli.
According to the communication presented to the Senate, the party had agreed to remove Karanja from the deputy leadership position and elect Maina as her replacement.
Kingi said he had received a letter from Wakoli on November 3, accompanied by minutes showing that the Majority Party had approved the changes.
The decision was made under Standing Orders 22(5) and 22(6), which provide for changes involving the Majority Party's leadership positions in the Senate.
Maina's appointment takes effect immediately, meaning she assumes the responsibilities previously held by Karanja.
The Senate Speaker also confirmed that he had examined the correspondence and followed the required parliamentary procedure before communicating the leadership changes to senators.
Karanja's removal comes weeks after reports that she was planning to leave the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and align herself with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Her reported political realignment has attracted attention because Senate leadership positions are closely connected to political party representation and the Majority Party's internal decisions.
The latest development therefore marks a significant change in the Senate's leadership arrangement, particularly as political alignments continue to shape discussions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
However, the Senate communication cited in the report confirms the leadership changes but does not provide further details about the political discussions that preceded the decision.
It also remains to be seen whether Karanja will publicly respond to her removal or explain her next political move.
For now, Veronica Maina has taken over the deputy leadership position, while Karanja faces a new chapter in her political journey.
https://www.tuko.co.ke/kenya/counties/645657-tabitha-karanja-removed-deputy-senate-majority-leader-weeks-ditching-uda/
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