A dramatic turn of events has ensued after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal quashed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party's decision to expel former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba.
In a ruling issued on Wednesday, August 20, the Tribunal revealed that it found that the disciplinary proceedings against Orwoba were marred by legal procedural lapses and irregularities.
Following the findings, the tribunal has ordered the party to reverse its prior decision to remove Orwoba from the party.
The tribunal's ruling comes after the ruling party officially appointed her successor, Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi, who has since been sworn in.
Wakwabubi was sworn in on Wednesday, August 20, in the Senate in a ceremony presided over by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
She had been gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba’s replacement in the women’s special seat on August 15.
“I Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi, having been elected a member of the Senate, do swear in the name of the Almighty God, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the people and the Republic of Kenya, that I will obey, respect, uphold, preserve, protect and defend this Constitution of the Republic of Kenya, and that I will faithfully and conscientiousness discharge the duties of a Member of Parliament. So help me, God,” she said during the swearing.
The decision by the tribunal now throws legal confusion on what is going to happen in the ruling party.
Reacting to the tribunal’s ruling, Orwoba alleged that all stakeholders were aware that the tribunal was to make a ruling today on her case, but went ahead to gazette and swear in her replacement.
“The Political Parties Tribunal has ruled that my removal as a Senator is unlawful and unconstitutional. The court has further quashed all decisions and actions, including the Senate Gazette, the IEBC Gazette as well as the Swearing in of Consolata Wakwabubi,’’ Orwoba said.
“It is important to note that IEBC, the Senate, the Speaker of the Senate, and the Clerk of the Senate were all aware that the ruling of this case was scheduled for today. They instead chose to call a special sitting to unlawfully swear in Consolata before the reading of the ruling,’’ Orwoba continued.
Orwoba alleged that she has been receiving threats to let the position go and silently walk out of the party, threats she has alleged will not stop her.
“I have received several communications warning me to shut up and let it go. This communication is targeted to threaten me and my family,’’ Orwoba alleged.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on the ruling party to see whether they will comply with the ruling or challenge it further.
