Senator Orwoba kicked out of UDA, set to lose seat
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had adopted and ratified the decision by the Disciplinary Committee to expel the senator with immediate effect.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has expelled nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from the party after the Disciplinary Committee found her guilty of violating party values, a move that sets in motion her removal from the Senate.
In a statement released on Monday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had adopted and ratified the decision by the Disciplinary Committee to expel the senator with immediate effect.
"Pursuant to Article 29 of the UDA Party Constitution, and having exhaustively deliberated on the matters before it, the Party’s Disciplinary Committee has resolved that Sen. Gloria Orwoba be expelled from the membership of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party with immediate effect," Omar said.
He further explained that Orwoba’s privileges as a party member have been revoked and that she can no longer represent or act on behalf of UDA in any capacity.
"Consequently, she no longer enjoys any privileges accorded to party members nor is she authorized to represent or act on behalf of the Party in any capacity," the statement continued.
The party has already written to the Speaker of the Senate to initiate the formal process of removing Orwoba from Parliament.
The Registrar of Political Parties and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have also been notified of the expulsion.
In anticipation of the Senate vacancy, UDA has nominated Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi from Kimilili Constituency, Bungoma County, to replace Orwoba.
"In accordance with the Party’s Nomination Rules and based on the Party List submitted to the IEBC prior to the 2022 General Elections, the Party has nominated Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi from Kimilili Constituency, Bungoma County to fill the resulting vacancy," Omar said.
The decision comes after Orwoba was accused of disloyalty for attending the homecoming of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and other actions deemed to undermine the party.
According to the Disciplinary Committee chairperson Charles Njenga, the senator’s public support for individuals outside UDA and criticism of government programs were cited as grounds for her dismissal.
Omar defended the expulsion, saying that while the party respects freedom of expression, loyalty to party ideals is a key pillar.
"While the UDA Party upholds the values of freedom of expression and association as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, fidelity and loyalty to Party ideals are fundamental to its constitution and to further consolidate our multiparty politics by strengthening political parties. Hon. Gloria Orwoba cannot, therefore, continue to play for two political teams simultaneously," he said.
