NAIROBI, Kenya – The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has nullified the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) decision to expel former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba, declaring the move unlawful, unprocedural, and in breach of the law.
In its ruling delivered Tuesday evening, the tribunal faulted the party’s disciplinary process, saying it was marred by irregularities and failed to meet the standards of fairness required under the Political Parties Act.
“The decision to expel Gloria Orwoba is unlawful and illegal,” the tribunal ruled, adding that UDA’s disciplinary organ acted ultra vires in recommending her ouster.
The tribunal not only quashed the expulsion but also barred the Registrar of Political Parties from striking Orwoba’s name off the party register, and directed UDA to reverse any steps taken to remove her from its membership.
Orwoba, who had contested the expulsion, argued she had been unfairly targeted and denied a fair hearing.
The ruling comes just a day before her replacement in the Senate, Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi, was sworn in Wednesday following her gazettement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) last week.
Orwoba was expelled in May after UDA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) endorsed a disciplinary report accusing her of gross misconduct, including making statements that allegedly damaged the party’s image and failing to respond to summons by the Disciplinary Committee.
At the time, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar said Orwoba had repeatedly ignored opportunities to defend herself in person, opting instead to respond through lawyers, which the party deemed defiant and incompatible with its constitution.
Following the NEC resolution, UDA wrote to the Registrar of Political Parties and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who on May 21 declared her seat vacant, setting the stage for her eventual replacement.
The PPDT’s decision now throws up a fresh legal and political dilemma, effectively reinstating Orwoba as a party member even as her Senate seat has already been filled.
