Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba’s political future hangs in the balance following her expulsion from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which has also initiated steps to replace her in the Senate.
UDA Secretary General Omar Hassan announced on Sunday that Orwoba had been expelled from the party from breaching its internal rules.
He further disclosed that the party had nominated Consolata Wakwabubi from Bungoma County to fill the vacancy left by Orwoba.
“The Party’s Disciplinary Committee has resolved that Senator Gloria Orwoba be expelled from the membership of the UDA Party with immediate effect,” said Hassan.
He added that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), in a meeting held on 19 May, adopted and ratified the Disciplinary Committee’s decision, effectively confirming her removal.
The party has since written to the Speaker of the Senate, requesting that the process of her expulsion from the House be commenced. Additionally, the Registrar of Political Parties (RPP) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have been notified of the disciplinary action.
Hassan underscored the importance of party allegiance, stating, “Orwoba cannot, therefore, continue to play for two political teams simultaneously.” He noted that loyalty to party ideals is critical to the advancement of multiparty democracy.
The announcement comes shortly after Orwoba secured temporary relief from the High Court, which suspended the party’s disciplinary proceedings against her. Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued a conservatory order halting the process pending a full hearing and determination of the matter.
Orwoba had been summoned to appear before UDA’s Disciplinary Committee on May 16 over allegations of violating the party’s Code of Conduct.
The charges stemmed from her attendance at former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, as well as her participation in his homecoming event at Gusii Stadium.
Furthermore, the party cited comments Orwoba made during a media interview last month, in which she criticised the government’s youth employment initiative.
This is not the first time Orwoba has come into conflict with authorities. She was previously suspended from the Senate for 79 days for allegedly contravening parliamentary decorum.
That disciplinary action followed her refusal in March to read a prescribed apology, which she claimed could be self-incriminating amid ongoing court proceedings.
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