Tribunal Overturns Gloria Orwoba's Expulsion from UDA Party
- President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) decided to expel ex-nominated senator Gloria Orwoba from the party
- The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal issued a verdict, overturning UDA's decision and reinstating her as senator
- However, this verdict came hours after Orwoba's replacement, Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi, was sworn in
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has delivered a verdict on ex-nominated senator Gloria Orwoba's expulsion from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) case.
Source: Facebook
This comes days after UDA secretary general Hassan Omar announced the party’s decision to expel Orwoba through an official press release dated Monday, May 19, detailing a cascade of disciplinary steps that led to her dismissal.
The party later nominated Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi to replace Orwoba following her expulsion.
Did tribunal overturn UDA's decision to expel Orwoba?
The tribunal has issued a verdict on Orwoba's case, overturning the decision to have her expelled from the country's ruling party.
According to a statement issued by Orwoba, the court ruled that her removal as UDA's nominated senator was illegal and unconstitutional.
"The court has further quashed all decisions and actions, including the Senate Gazette, IEBC Gazette, as well as the Swearing in of Consolata Wakwabubi," Orwoba's statement read in part.
Orwoba's remarks on tribunal's ruling
While commenting on the matter, Orwoba claimed that the court officially reinstated her as the senator.
Additionally, she claimed that the involved parties, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Senate speaker Amason Kingi and Senate clerk, were aware that the court ruling was to be made on Wednesday, August 20.
"They instead chose to call a special sitting to illegally," Orwoba said.
This decision has caused confusion as Orwoba's replacement, Wakwabubi, had already been sworn in as the UDA's nominated senator.
Why was Orwoba expelled from UDA?
Orwoba, who was a first-term senator, was nominated by UDA in 2022 under the gender top-up category.
The politician's trouble began when she was spotted among the group of politicians who welcomed the presidential aspirant, Fred Matiang'i, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, April 17.
Source: Facebook
She was also spotted at the ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary's homecoming, which was dominated by opposing politicians.
This raised eyebrows within the party that nominated her, as she appeared to be affiliated with the opposition.
In addition to her offences, she also participated in Matiang'i's political tours across the Gusii regions, including the Kisii and Nyamira counties.
This move was interpreted as Orwoba endorsing a potential challenger to UDA's flag bearer, President Ruto.
The final blow was when Orwoba publicly criticised the Kenya Kwanza government, accusing it of mismanaging several key programs.
She argued that there was chaos because people who are supposed to implement key programs do not believe in them.
The former senator's remarks were made during an interview with Spice FM on April 22.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
