Nairobi, Kenya – High drama unfolded outside Parliament on Wednesday after former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba was blocked from accessing the precincts in a simmering battle over her contested Senate seat.
Orwoba, who was expelled from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) earlier this year, declared that the Senate is currently operating illegally by allowing her replacement, Consolata Wabwire, to participate in proceedings despite an active legal challenge.
“As long as the lady called Consolata is sitting in the Senate, that sitting is illegal. That is a stranger on the floor of the House,” Orwoba fumed while addressing reporters outside Parliament buildings.
She warned that Wabwire’s presence in the chamber renders all ongoing processes — including the Kericho Governor Eric Mutai impeachment hearings — susceptible to legal challenge.
“Whatever outcome the impeachment brings out is invalid because they have a stranger on the floor of the House,” she said, accusing Senate Speaker Amason Kingi of “entertaining illegality.”
Orwoba turned her guns on Senate leadership and UDA, claiming that Kericho residents were “being shortchanged” by what she termed a flawed impeachment process.
“The people of Kericho should know they are being shortchanged. Whatever happens inside the Senate is not legal because the person executing the impeachment is a stranger,” she added.
The standoff comes barely a week after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) delivered a verdict favoring Orwoba, ruling that UDA’s disciplinary process against her was riddled with legal and procedural flaws.
In its decision, the tribunal directed the party to reverse all sanctions imposed on Orwoba, who had been dismissed in May following allegations of misconduct.
UDA, however, went ahead to endorse its decision, installing Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi from Kimilili, Bungoma County, as Orwoba’s replacement. The move has now plunged the Senate into uncharted legal waters.
The showdown has sparked whispers of deeper political undertones. Analysts argue that Orwoba’s expulsion and Wabwire’s quick nomination reflect fierce internal power struggles within UDA ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in Mount Kenya and Rift Valley blocs.
With the Kericho impeachment viewed as a litmus test for party cohesion, Orwoba’s legal challenge threatens to derail proceedings and embarrass Senate leadership.
As she vowed to fight on, Orwoba signaled a long legal and political battle ahead:
“We will not allow impunity to thrive in Parliament. This is bigger than me — it’s about the rule of law.”
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