NAIROBI, Kenya – Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has secured a temporary reprieve after the High Court in Nairobi suspended her expulsion from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), effectively halting her removal from the Senate.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesay, May 21, Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued a conservatory order suspending the decision by the UDA Party Disciplinary Committee to expel Orwoba.
The judge directed that she retain both her party membership and her Senate seat pending a full hearing of her case.
The order followed an urgent application filed by Orwoba on Monday, challenging her expulsion by the party she represents in Parliament.
“A conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the implementation of the decision of the UDA Party Disciplinary Committee dated 16/05/2025 expelling the petitioner herein as a member of the UDA party and/or a nominated senator,” the ruling states.
The court’s move came just hours after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi published a Gazette Notice declaring Orwoba’s seat vacant under Article 101(2) of the Constitution, citing her removal from the party that had nominated her under Article 98(1)(b) to represent special interests.
The Gazette Notice, dated May 21, stated:
“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 the 21st May, 2025.”
But the court’s ruling effectively freezes that declaration, preserving Orwoba’s seat until the matter is fully heard and determined. The next court directions are scheduled for June 3.
The court also warned that any defiance of the order would attract legal sanctions, underscoring the gravity of the standoff between Orwoba and her party.
Political Fallout and Gender Backdrop
Orwoba’s suspension and expulsion stem from internal party disagreements, but her case has drawn attention not just for its political implications but also for its intersection with gender representation and advocacy.
As a vocal advocate for women’s rights, Orwoba has courted both support and controversy over her unflinching stance on issues including period poverty, gender-based violence, and political accountability.
Her legal fight now unfolds against the backdrop of broader efforts to strengthen gender justice in Kenya.
While Orwoba’s legal battle is primarily political, her continued presence in the Senate maintains her voice in ongoing national conversations about gender equity and representation—issues that remain politically charged and deeply consequential.
