Orwoba's endless woes and the pain of female leaders in Kenya

Former Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba when the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare summoned Labour CS Alfred Mutua over foreign jobs, at Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi. May 6, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard

In the past couple of weeks, Senator Gloria Orwoba's political career has been in a state of upheaval, with her political party withdrawing her nomination to the Senate, the Speaker of the Senate officially declaring her position vacant, and the High Court putting a stay on this ouster as the matter is resolved.

Ms Orwoba's time in the Senate has been nothing short of colourful. In 2023, she was dismissed from the House for her public display of 'menstrual blood' on her clothes. This move did not augur well with the Senate as well as with large swathes of the public. Several senators, both male and female, raised objection to her appearance, stating that it was shameful and against the House's rules on dress code. Eventually, the senator was sent out of the House.