The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially gazetted Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi as the new United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominated senator, effectively replacing Gloria Orwoba.

The move follows months of internal party wrangles and a recent High Court ruling that dismissed Orwoba’s attempt to block her removal.

In a Gazette Notice dated August 14, IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon confirmed that Orwoba’s name had been removed from UDA’s list of nominated women senators.

Wakwabubi, who hails from Kimilili in Bungoma County, was listed as the replacement. She was among those originally named in the UDA party list following the 2022 General Election.

The Gazette Notice directed that Orwoba be struck out as nominee number four on the UDA list and that Wakwabubi assume the position immediately.

This step formalises UDA’s decision to remove Orwoba, who had fallen out with the party over her political conduct.

Tensions between Orwoba and UDA had been brewing after she began associating with the opposition, attending rallies that went against party lines. The shift in loyalty led to warnings and disciplinary action by the party.

In a press release issued on May 19 and signed by UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, the party announced that its Disciplinary Committee had unanimously agreed to terminate Orwoba’s membership.

The committee acted on a petition filed by two party members, Festus Omwamba and Henry Muriithi, who accused her of violating Article 29 of the party constitution.

The IEBC’s announcement came just one day after the High Court dismissed a case filed by Orwoba seeking to stop UDA from expelling her.

In his ruling, Justice Lawrence Mugambi said, “It is my humble conclusion that the Petitioner [Orwoba] has not demonstrated that the 1st Respondent [UDA] Disciplinary Committee is in contempt of the specific Court order.”

The judge further noted that Orwoba had misused the court process by attempting to pursue the same matter in two different forums at the same time.

With the IEBC’s latest notice, Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi now officially steps in as UDA’s nominated senator, bringing a formal close to the leadership dispute that had rattled the party in recent months.