Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba is to begin her immediate suspension from the Senate.
This follows her being criticized for serious wrongdoing due to comments she made regarding a senior Senate official.
During a session on Wednesday, the suspension was announced by Senator Kathuri Murungi of Meru, who also serves as Deputy Speaker of the Senate.
Murungi stated, “In light of this matter and the High Court’s ruling, Senator Gloria Orwoba will now immediately begin her suspension.”
Murungi elaborated that the 79 calendar days Orwoba was to serve in 2023, which had not yet begun, would commence on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, and continue until Thursday, May 1, 2025.
When she was given the chance to speak to the House, Orwoba offered her apologies and stated that she had not meant to make fun of the Senate.
“I appreciate the opportunity to express 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 approached the court in August 2023, aiming to obtain conservatory orders that would stop the Senate Committee on Powers and Privileges from proceeding with its inquiry into her conduct.
A conservatory order is a court-issued remedy that puts a temporary stop to actions or decisions until the case has been fully heard.
The court, however, declined to grant the orders, permitting the committee to continue with the inquiry. After concluding its investigation, the committee presented a report to the House and a motion was discussed concerning Orwoba’s suspension.
Senator Murungi pointed out that the Senate’s adopted resolutions recommended Orwoba’s suspension for the rest of the second session of the 13th Parliament, which concluded on December 7, 2023.
After this resolution was communicated, Orwoba again approached the court, seeking orders to annul both the Senate’s resolutions and their execution.
The court granted her request for orders, and the case was escalated to Milimani High Court.
Although Orwoba was commanded to show up and provide her account of events, she declined to take part.
In his ruling, High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi agreed with the Senate’s decision, pointing out that Orwoba had the chance to present her case to the Powers and Privileges Committee but chose not to take part.
“Senator Gloria Orwoba was given the chance to appear and present her case, which included addressing any preliminary matters before the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee. Rather, she opted not to get involved and left, Mugambi stated.
He further stated that he found no infringement of Orwoba’s rights to fair administrative action or a fair hearing in this instance, and then dismissed her petition.
Senator Murungi observed on Wednesday that Orwoba had not yet served her suspension as previously decided by the Senate due to stay orders, and that her suspension would now commence.
