UDA expels Orwoba as senate job hangs in the balance

Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba makes her remarks before the Senate Finance and Budget committee during a meeting with the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority on May 28, 2024. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has expelled nominated senator Gloria Orwoba from the party on accusation of being disloyal to the ruling outfit.

Further, the party has withdrawn its sponsorship of the legislator to the Senate and has instead nominated Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi who hails from Kimilili in Bungoma to replace her.

"Consequently, she no longer enjoys any privileges accorded to party members nor is she authorised to represent or act on behalf of the party in any capacity," said party's Secretary General, Hassan Omar, in a statement.

"In light of the foregoing, the party has formally written to the speaker of the senate to initiate the process of her removal from the senate," the statement further said.

The decision to kick Orwoba out of the party was first considered by the UDA internal Disciplinary Committee before the National Executive Committee adopted the resolution in a meeting held on Monday, May 19.

This, the party says, is in line with its constitution.

Orwoba's tribulations are associated with her embrace of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i who is considered as a possible challenger of UDA party leader, President William Ruto, in the 2027 presidential race.

"Hon. Gloria Orwoba cannot therefore continue playing for two political teams simultaneously," Hassan Omar stated.

The first term senator was among opposition politicians present at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to welcome Matiang'i when he returned to the country from the US on Thursday, April 17.

She later joined the convoy for Matiang'i's homecoming tour of the Gusii region.

Angered by Orwoba's recent anti-government political posturing, the UDA party summoned her to face the party's disciplinary committee on May 16, after Festus Omwamba and Henry Muriithi petitioned the party.

However, the sitting was aborted after Orwoba obtained a High Court order suspending the proceedings.