Gloria Orwoba Apologises As Senate Orders Her 3-Month Suspension

Orwoba admitted that she had learned from her experience and promised to be a better person when she returned.

Gloria Orwoba Apologises As Senate Orders Her 3-Month Suspension
Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba. /PARLIAMENT KENYA

Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has called upon her Senate colleagues to forgive her as she begins her suspension from the House.

As she left the Senate after Deputy Speaker Murungi Kathuri communicated on implementing the resolution regarding the Committee of Powers and Privileges' report on her conduct, Orwoba admitted that she had learned from her experience and promised to be a better person when she returned.

“I offer my apologies to the members of this House and the Members of Staff who I might have offended as I pursued oversight and legislation.

“Truly from the bottom of my heart and as you can see I have learnt how to present and represent people better. It is a learning curve, I own up to my actions and therefore as I proceed to my suspension I do hope that those who I have offended will find it in their hearts to forgive. It was not my intention to make it seem like I'm trying to ridicule this Upper House,” she stated.

Bird's eye view of the Senate chambers. /PARLIAMENT KENYA

Murungi announced on Wednesday, February 12 that Orwoba will be suspended for 79 days and will be allowed back to the chambers on May 1, 2025.

“Taking note of the judgment delivered on the court on 15th August 2024, and the orders there in Senator Gloria Orwoba shall now forthwith commence her suspension following resolution of the Senate of 20th September 2023 and the report of the powers and privileges committee on her conduct. 

“The 79 Callender days that were to be applied in the year 2023 will therefore run from today Wednesday, February 12, 2025, to Thursday, May 1, 2025,” ruled Murungi.

The Deputy Speaker of the Senate instructed the clerk to implement the suspension order for Senator Orwoba.

Orwoba was suspended from the House in September 2023 for the remainder of the second session of the 13th Parliament. On September 20, the House adopted the Powers and Privileges Committee report tabled on August 10, which recommended her suspension for failing to appear before it to substantiate claims she made against her colleagues regarding corruption and sexual harassment. 

Orwoba obtained a court order halting the Senate’s resolution, preventing her from serving any part of the suspension.

In September 2023, the Committee on Powers and Privileges recommended her suspension following allegations that a Senate clerk had assaulted her. However, she challenged the decision in court and secured an order blocking its enforcement.

High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi upheld the Senate’s decision, stating that Orwoba had been allowed to appear before the Powers and Privileges Committee to defend herself but failed to do so.

In dismissing her petition, Mugambi ruled that there was no violation of her right to fair and administrative action as required by law.

Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba during a meeting with Kisii County Governor Simba Arati on January 16, 2024. /GLORIA ORWOBA