Karen Nyamu, Orwoba Kicked Out Of Senate Over Indecent Dressing

Nominated Senators Karen Nyamu and Gloria Orwoba were on Tuesday, February 14 ordered out of the Chambers after dressing inappropriately for the proceedings.

Nyamu arrived at the chambers dressed in a kitenge skirt and a black sleeveless blouse that left her arms exposed which, according to the House rules, is deemed as inappropriate dressing.

Orwoba on the other hand arrived at the proceedings wearing what appeared to be a stained attire. She entered the chambers donning a white blazer, green top, and a matching white trouser that was however seemingly sporting a pink stain.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi accused the duo of violating Speaker's Rule number 5, which indicated that “Senators are required not to enter the chamber, lounge or dining room without being properly dressed.”

“This means a male Senator will be dressed in a coat, collar, tie, long trousers, socks and shoes or service uniform, religious attire or such other decent dressing as may be approved by the speaker from time to time... An equivalent standard shall apply in respect of women senators who may also wear kitenges or such other African attire,” said Speaker Kingi before sending Nyamu away.

The Speaker however gave the green light for Nyamu to return, on condition that she complies with the House rules and dress appropriately.

"Senator Nyamu, I am afraid that you don't fit the bill and I’m going to ask you to leave the chambers, go and get properly dressed and come back to the chambers,” Kingi added.

For Orwoba's case, the matter was raised on the floor of the House on a point of order by fellow Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, who sought directions from Speaker Kingi on the dress code.

Mutinda had described Orwoba’s dressing as “inappropriate” and “indecent”, going ahead to even assert that she was disturbed as a fellow woman.

“I stand seeking guidance on the Speaker’s rule number 5 in regards to the dress code, and I need to seek advice if Senator Gloria is appropriately dressed for the House,” she said.

“As a woman and a Senator, I find it very uncomfortable, very inappropriate, for our colleague Senator Gloria to step in and you don’t understand if she’s on the normal woman cycle or it is faking it, and it is so indecent. It disturbs me, as a woman, on what we indicate out there to our younger generation that looks upon us on how we dress, as leaders, in this House. There is a better way to bring this out.”

Backing up Mutinda was Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and his Narok counterpart Ledama ole Kina, who believed that Orwoba should have at least covered herself after noticing that she was on her period, as she alleged. 

“We have wives and daughters, and they go through these cycles, but it’s a matter to be managed personally without exposing it to other people.

"What Senator Gloria has done to this House is a disgrace, it is a lot of shame to this House. This must not be allowed to happen,” stated Wambua.

Ledama on his part claimed that Orwoba was not actually on her menstrual cycle, but was presumably just putting on a show to put across a point.

“It is quite evident that the distinguished Senator is picketing. She’s not on her menstrual cycle, it is quite clear that what she’s trying to share with the rest of the world is that she’s picketing,” he said.

“We see this thing on social media and TikTok, we’re not blind or stupid. If a mature person realizes that they’re going through something which is, culturally, taboo to be discussed, she would’ve gone to the bathroom, covered herself, and even the other distinguished Senators who are from the female gender here would’ve given her something to wear.”

Orwoba however charged back at her colleagues who had criticised her noting that what she was undergoing was a natural exercise for all women that one should not be ashamed about.

She went on to accuse them of subjecting her to “period stigma,” a vice which she added affected a lot of young women in Kenya and used Valentines' Day on February 14 as a scapegoat for her dressing.

“I think I’m dressed as per the standing orders; I’m covered, I have a suit, I have collars, and I’m just short of a tie. I’m disappointed because the point of order that is being raised to try and attack an accident that is natural...I have stained my clothes...I just want to know, while we’re discussing this issue that is not even in the Order Paper, is it because Senators are not women who have periods? Because then maybe I shouldn’t be in this House,” she stated.

“This is the period stigma that is making our girls kill themselves, we have a girl who killed herself because of the same issue that I’m going through, and now I understand because it is the women who are trying to make this a crime. Because maybe it’s Valentine’s Day? Because maybe on Valentine’s Day, we’re not supposed to have our periods? I’m shocked that someone can stand here and say that the House has been disgraced because a woman has had her period?”

The Senate resumed its Second Session of the 4th Senate on Tuesday, February 14 after the long recess that began in December 2022.