Former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba/FILEThe Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has nullified the expulsion of former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), citing procedural lapses in the disciplinary proceedings—procedural lapses that breached fundamental principles of fairness.
The ruling marks a turning point in a case that has unfolded over several months, marked by internal party disputes and court interventions.
In its judgment delivered on Wednesday, the tribunal chaired by Desma Nungo found that UDA’s disciplinary process violated the principles of natural justice and due process.
“There was no fair opportunity for hearing, and the complainant was not furnished with the impugned decision,” the tribunal ruled.
They noted that key documents, including the complaint dated May 8, were unsigned and undated, while no proof was provided that the decision to expel her was ever served.
These irregularities, it said, stripped the process of legality and fairness.
The tribunal’s findings directly challenged the disciplinary committee’s handling of the matter.
Orwoba had been expelled from the party earlier over allegations of disloyalty, claims she dismissed as politically motivated.
UDA maintained that the expulsion was justified and argued before the tribunal that the case was sub judice due to a High Court petition filed earlier by Orwoba.
However, the tribunal dismissed this argument, stating that no current parallel proceedings were ongoing.
The tribunal also admitted as evidence an audio recording presented by Orwoba, in which disciplinary committee members appeared to acknowledge a High Court order suspending the expulsion process.
This, the tribunal said, further undermined the party’s claim of procedural fairness.
In its final orders, it declared the expulsion unlawful, quashed the decision to remove her from UDA’s register, and barred the party from taking any steps to oust her based on the described flawed process.
The decision represents a legal victory for Orwoba, but it comes against the backdrop of political realities that complicate her reinstatement.
Following her expulsion in May, UDA moved to fill the vacancy.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazetted Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi as her replacement on August 15.
Subsequently, Wakwabubi took the oath of office in a swearing-in, presided over by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, on Wednesday, August 20, following her gazettement.
Orwoba’s previous attempts to block the disciplinary process through the High Court had also hit a dead end.
On August 13, Justice Lawrence Mugambi dismissed her petition, ruling that the High Court should be approached only as a last resort or on appeal from the tribunal.
The judge emphasised that disputes arising from internal party processes fall primarily within the tribunal’s jurisdiction.
