NAIROBI, Kenya – Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has officially begun her suspension from the Senate, following a ruling that upheld disciplinary action against her for gross misconduct.
The Senate’s Deputy Speaker, Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, announced the implementation of the suspension during a Wednesday session, citing a High Court ruling that affirmed the Senate’s decision.
“Having considered this matter and taking note of the judgment delivered by the High Court, Senator Gloria Orwoba shall now forthwith commence her suspension,” Murungi stated.
The 79-day suspension, originally set for 2023, was delayed due to legal challenges initiated by Orwoba.
With her court petition dismissed, the suspension is now in effect from Wednesday, February 12, 2025, to Thursday, May 1, 2025.
In her address to the Senate, Orwoba extended an apology, insisting she had no intention of bringing disrepute to the House.
“Thank you for giving me this time to offer my apologies to the members of this House and the staff I may have offended. If I offended anyone, I offer my sincere apologies from the bottom of my heart,” she said.
Orwoba had moved to court in August 2023 to block the Senate’s Powers and Privileges Committee from investigating her conduct, seeking conservatory orders to halt proceedings.
However, the court declined her request, allowing the inquiry to continue.
Following the committee’s findings, the Senate voted to suspend Orwoba for the remainder of the second session of the 13th Parliament, which ended on December 7, 2023.
Orwoba then pursued another legal challenge, seeking to quash both the resolution and its implementation, but the case was dismissed by the High Court.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi, in his ruling, criticized Orwoba for failing to present her case before the Senate committee despite being given the opportunity.
“Senator Gloria Orwoba was provided with an opportunity to appear and state her case, including raising any preliminary issues before the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee. Instead, she chose not to engage and walked out,” Justice Mugambi noted.
The judge ruled that her rights to fair administrative action and a fair hearing had not been violated, effectively paving the way for her suspension to proceed.
With all legal obstacles cleared, Murungi confirmed on Wednesday that Orwoba’s suspension would be enforced without further delay.
