The electoral agency has formally replaced expelled United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba with Consolata Wakwabubi, in line with constitutional provisions governing party-list representatives.
In a special gazette notice published on Friday, August 15, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon announced that Ms Wakwabubi will assume the UDA women’s nominated slot in the Senate.
The decision follows the expulsion of Ms Orwoba from UDA’s register of members, triggering her automatic loss of the Senate seat.
Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon after taking oath of office at the Supreme Court in Nairobi on July 11, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Article 90 of the Constitution and Section 37 of the Elections Act empower the electoral agency to reallocate party list seats whenever a nominated legislator ceases to be a member of the sponsoring party.
The law provides that the next qualified candidate on the party list submitted to IEBC ahead of the general election takes up the vacant position.
This legal framework ensures that party-nominated positions—designed to enhance representation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups—remain tied to party membership.
Once expelled, a legislator cannot continue to serve under a party’s proportional representation list.
Ms Orwoba, who entered the Senate in September 2022 under UDA’s women’s nomination list, had a controversial stint marked by internal wrangles within the ruling party.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of President William Ruto’s UDA had endorsed her expulsion over alleged gross misconduct and violation of party rules.
The decision was later ratified by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, clearing the way for IEBC to effect the change.
Her expulsion was significant not only for her personal political career but also for UDA, which has sought to maintain strict discipline among its members as President Ruto consolidates control ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ex-nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba. She recently claimed that sexual harassment and extortion of female members of Parliament is prevalent.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Little-known outside Busia County political circles, Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi was placed on UDA’s 2022 nomination list as part of the women’s representation quota.
Party insiders describe her as a loyal grassroots mobiliser who has long worked within UDA’s women league structures in Western Kenya.
Her entry into the Senate is expected to further strengthen UDA’s hold in the chamber, where nominated members play a crucial role in legislative voting blocs despite not representing geographical constituencies.
By gazetting Ms Wakwabubi, IEBC has effectively closed the chapter on Ms Orwoba’s tenure in the Senate and reaffirmed the centrality of party lists in Kenya’s proportional representation system.
The replacement underscores the delicate balance in Kenya’s hybrid electoral system, where nominated seats have often been sources of contention within political parties.
For UDA, the move is a reminder to its members of the consequences of straying from party discipline, while also providing a chance to reward loyal cadres awaiting opportunities on the nomination lists.
Ms Wakwabubi is now expected to be sworn in when the Senate resumes, joining the ruling party’s bench at a time when legislative arithmetic is crucial for president Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga with whom they are working together under the broad based government framework.
Recently, Mr Harold Kipchumba, a longtime disability rights advocate was also sworn in as a nominated Member of Parliament, officially taking over from Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi who resigned to join the cabinet.
Mr Kipchumba filled the seat under the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) category, following the IEBC’s mandate to promote inclusive and equitable representation in Parliament.
His swearing-in at the National Assembly was witnessed by fellow ODM party officials, marking a milestone for disability representation in Kenya's legislature.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the Commission acted in line with Articles 88(4), 90, and 97(1)(c) of the Constitution, and relevant provisions of the Elections Act.
