Gloria Orwoba./FILE
Gloria Orwoba has officially lost her seat as a nominated Senator after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission gazetted her replacement in a precedent-setting move.
In a notice dated August 15, the IEBC named Consolata Nabwire to take over the position, ending Orwoba’s three-year stint in the Senate.
With Nabwire’s gazettement, Orwoba’s turbulent political journey makes a dramatic pause—marking a rare case of a legislator’s rise and fall within a single parliamentary term.
She becomes the first legislator in Kenya to lose a seat following expulsion by her sponsoring political party.
Like elected members, nominated senators enjoy full parliamentary benefits, with salaries and allowances exceeding Sh1 million.
Orwoba, a vocal first-term legislator, was expelled from the UDA for alleged disloyalty and violation of party ideals.
Her troubles stemmed from participation in homecoming events for former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i—a key opposition figure and declared 2027 presidential hopeful—as well as public criticism of government policies.
Her ouster adds to a string of setbacks. Recently, the Milimani Commercial Court fined her Sh10.5 million after finding her social media posts accusing Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye of sexual harassment defamatory, malicious and unsubstantiated.
Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho ruled that the remarks caused Nyegenye emotional distress and embarrassment, dismissing Orwoba’s argument that they were protected under parliamentary privilege since they were made outside the House. She has vowed to appeal.
“The conduct of the defendant throughout the proceedings was casual and non-compliant. An award of aggravated damages is necessary to serve as a reminder that freedom of speech should not be used as a weapon to destroy reputations,” Ngotho stated.
On May 19, UDA secretary general Hassan Omar announced that the party’s disciplinary committee had resolved to expel Orwoba after exhaustive deliberations.
The decision, made under Article 29 of the UDA constitution, was later ratified by the National Executive Committee.
“Senator Gloria Orwoba ceases to be a member of the UDA party. Consequently, she no longer enjoys any privileges accorded to party members, nor is she authorised to represent or act on behalf of the party in any capacity,” Omar said.
A day later, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi officially declared her seat vacant.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that pursuant to Article 101(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, a seat of the Member of the Senate elected under Article 98(1)(b) of the Constitution, held by Senator Gloria Orwoba, has become vacant with effect from May 21, 2025,” the notice by Kingi read.
Her last-ditch attempt to block the expulsion was thwarted after Justice Lawrence Mugambi dismissed her urgent application, ruling that it was procedurally flawed.
