KEWOPA condemns treatment of ex-senator Gloria Orwoba outside Parliament

Police restrain former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba on Wednesday after she was denied entry to the Senate despite presenting court orders reinstating her to the position. (Photo: Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi
Thursday, August 28, 2025

KEWOPA said all leaders, whether elected or nominated, deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

KEWOPA condemns treatment of ex-senator Gloria Orwoba outside parliament

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has condemned the treatment of former Senator Gloria Orwoba during an incident outside Parliament on Wednesday, terming it a breach of parliamentary decorum and an affront to the dignity of elected leaders.

More To Read

In a statement on Thursday, KEWOPA called on all relevant authorities to respect due process, ensure the rule of law is upheld, and guarantee that all leaders are treated fairly regardless of party affiliation.

“KEWOPA notes that all leaders, whether elected or nominated, deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. We call upon all the relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure that due process is observed in this matter,” the Association said.

Orwoba is set to be arraigned in court over charges of creating a disturbance and obstructing justice following her arrest outside Parliament on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

She was detained while attempting to regain access to Parliament, asserting that she had obtained court orders reinstating her to the Senate. Security officials barred her at the gate, arrested her, and impounded her car after the confrontation.

She spent the night in custody at the Central Police Station and was released on Thursday morning on a Sh10,000 cash bail.

The arrest sparked reactions from several political figures. Samburu Senator Naisula Lesuuda criticised what she described as hypocrisy in the handling of Orwoba’s case.

“Gloria Orwoba may have defied her party, but let’s not be hypocritical; many nominated senators in the last Parliament openly went against the parties that nominated them, opposing then-President Uhuru Kenyatta and his policies, yet served full terms. Two wrongs don’t make a right. What’s good for the goose must always be good for the gander, regardless of which side one is on. Tuwache selective amnesia! If it’s about the law, then read it and follow it regardless,” Lesuuda posted on X.

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya also criticised the disregard for court orders, highlighting the irony of the incident occurring on a day the country marked 15 years since the promulgation of the Constitution.

“As they are in KICC celebrating the Constitution, someone is not honouring court orders. This is absurd. Gloria Orwoba deserved better. I ask the Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Amason Kingi and the clerk of the Senate to obey the court orders waache ujeuri,” Salasya posted on Facebook.

Orwoba was expelled from the UDA party in May and replaced by Consolata Wakwabubi, whose appointment was gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on August 15. However, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) last week nullified her expulsion, citing procedural lapses that breached principles of fairness.

“There was no fair opportunity for hearing and the complainant was not furnished with the impugned decision,” the tribunal, chaired by Desma Nungo, ruled.