Gloria Orwoba's inevitable ouster from the Senate was confirmed on Wednesday, May 21, after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi declared her seat vacant, paving the way for her replacement under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.
In a gazette notice dated May 21, Kingi announced Orwoba's seat was vacant effective immediately.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that pursuant to Article 101(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, a seat of the Member of the Senate elected under Article 98(1)(b) of the Constitution, held by Senator Gloria Orwoba, has become vacant with effect from the 21st May, 2025," the gazette notice read.
The new development came barely 48 hours after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) disciplinary committee dismissed the nominated Senator from the party, ostensibly meaning the vocal legislator will lose her seat in the Upper House.
In a statement on Monday, May 19, the UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar claimed that the National Executive Committee (NEC) had given a nod to the committee's decision, following a hearing.
Following Orwoba's removal from the Senate, the UDA party has forwarded the name of Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi to replace her.
Orwoba's inevitable ouster from the Senate summed up what has been a torrid last two months for her, as a series of public actions led to a sensational fallout with the UDA party.
Notably, Orwoba's expulsion from the ruling UDA came on the back of an incident in March where she refused to issue an apology after she was prompted by the Senate speaker as she returned from suspension.
But perhaps her most controversial move, which sealed her fate with the UDA party, came on April 17, when she presented herself at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to receive former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, who has a newfound political relationship with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Orwoba seemingly tested her political fate further as she attended Matiang’i's homecoming ceremony at the Gusii Stadium on May 2 – actions which were seen as treacherous by the UDA leadership, who acted fast to dismiss her from the party.
During disciplinary proceedings against Orwoba, UDA also cited a recent interview where she reportedly criticised the government’s labour mobility programme, a flagship plan of President Ruto's administration, as grounds to question Orwoba's code of conduct within the party.
Following Wakwabubi's nomination, her name is set to be processed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), after which she will assume her new role as nominated senator, where she will represent the youth under Article 98(1)(b) of the Constitution.
