Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba loses seat as Speaker Kingi declares vacancy
The declaration was made through a notice by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi
Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has officially lost her seat in the Senate after Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi declared the position vacant in a Gazette Notice dated May 21, 2025.
The declaration was made under Article 101(2) of the Constitution, following her expulsion from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, which had nominated her under Article 98(1)(b) to represent special interests.
"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," reads the notice.
This development comes just a day after the High Court dismissed Orwoba’s attempt to stop her expulsion, dealing a major blow to her efforts to hold on to the seat.
Court rejects legal challenge
On Tuesday, the High Court dismissed an application by Orwoba that sought to block her removal from the Senate.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled that her case was procedurally flawed and therefore could not proceed.
In a decision dated May 20, 2025, the judge said Orwoba introduced new parties to the case without getting the court’s permission, as required by law.
"The application is incompetent and is rejected," the ruling stated.
The court further ordered that earlier directions in the matter would remain in place.
Orwoba had filed the case under a certificate of urgency on May 19, 2025, hoping to overturn her expulsion from UDA. But the court ruled on procedure before any substantive issues were addressed.
However, in a new twist, after the gazettment of the vacancy, Orwoba secured an order from the same court suspending her expulsion as a member of the ruling UDA and nominated Senator.
"That pending hearing and determination of this Application, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the implementation of the decision of the UDA Party Disciplinary Committee dated 16/05/2025 expelling the Petitioner herein as member of the UDA party and/or a nominated senator," reads the order by Justice Mugambi dated May, 21, 2025.
Further directions in the matter will be issued on June 3, 2025.
Disciplinary fallout with UDA
The ruling party, led by President William Ruto, expelled Orwoba for gross misconduct and breaching the party’s constitution and code of conduct.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar said in a press statement that the party’s National Executive Committee had unanimously approved the expulsion after reviewing the Disciplinary Committee’s recommendations.
Senator Orwoba was found guilty of several misconduct charges, including making statements that damaged the party’s reputation and ignoring summons by the Disciplinary Committee.
She failed to appear in person despite repeated invitations, instead relying on her lawyers to communicate with the party.
UDA said she had been given enough opportunity to respond but chose not to engage with the internal process, which weakened her position within the party.
