President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has expelled nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba for violating the party’s code of conduct.
Consequently, the party has initiated the process of removing her from the Senate, a development that is likely to prompt her to challenge the action in court.
The decision to remove Senator Orwoba as a party member was reached by the party disciplinary committee, which stated that she had violated the constitution of the party. Her tribulations began after attending former Interior minister Fred Matiangi’s political event.
“The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party adopted and ratified the disciplinary committee's decision. Accordingly, Senator Gloria Orwoba ceases to be a member of the UDA party. Consequently, she no longer enjoys any privileges accorded to party members nor is she authorized to represent or act on behalf of the party in any capacity,” UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan said.
Additionally, Mr Hassan said that the party has initiated the process of removing her from the Senate.
“In light of the foregoing, the party has formally written to the Speaker of the Senate to initiate the process of her removal from the Senate. Additionally, the party has notified the Registrar of Political Parties (RPP) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of her expulsion.”
Mr Omar also stated that in accordance with the Party's Nomination Rules and based on the Party List submitted to the IEBC prior to the 2022 elections, Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi from Kimilili has been nominated to replace Ms Orwoba.
“While the UDA Party upholds the values of freedom of expression and association as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, fidelity and loyalty to party ideals are fundamental to its constitution and to further consolidate our multiparty politics by strengthening political parties. Hon. Gloria Orwoba cannot therefore continue to play for two political teams simultaneously,” Mr Omar said.
Her punishment comes following her presence at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to welcome former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i and attending his home welcoming celebrations held at Gusii Stadium.
While the senator had defended her decision, the committee, through the letter, summoned her and raised concerns with statement she had made while appearing in an interview at Spice FM on April 22.
During the interview, the Senator criticised the government’s labour mobility programme among other areas.
She had alleged after facing the committee at the Hustler Plaza that the party was seeking to punish her for being a member of a certain community.
The decision comes despite the High Court’s order that stopped the party from proceeding with her disciplinary hearing.
“I'm being accused of being a Kisii or coming from Gusii community. I cannot change that. It appears that the allegations that are being made is that I stop from being a Kisii. I come from my community,” Senator Orwoba said when she addressed the media outside UDA headquarters.
Dr Matiang’i has expressed his interest in vying for presidential seat come 2027 elections, a move that has Jubilee party endorsing him as its presidential candidate.
