Court orders Orwoba to pay Sh10.5m for defaming Senate Clerk
Embattled Senator Gloria Orwoba. File photo
Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has been ordered to pay Sh10.5 million in damages after the court found that her public allegations against Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye were defamatory, malicious, and unsupported by evidence.
Delivering judgment at the Milimani Commercial Court, Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho ruled that Ms Orwoba’s remarks--made via her Facebook, WhatsApp, and X accounts--had seriously damaged the clerk’s reputation and were shared with reckless disregard for the truth.
Mr Nyegenye had sued Ms Orwoba over a series of posts in which she accused him of making sexual advances and retaliating against her when she declined.
The court awarded him Sh8 million as general damages and Sh2.5 million in aggravated damages.
It also directed Orwoba to publish a public apology in a national newspaper and across her social media accounts within 30 days—failing which she would incur an additional Sh1 million penalty.
The magistrate imposed a permanent injunction barring her from ever repeating the claims, saying her behaviour amounted to a deliberate smear campaign.
This is the latest in a string of controversies surrounding Orwoba since her nomination to the Senate by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in 2022.
In February 2023, she made headlines for attending a Senate session wearing trousers stained red to raise awareness on menstrual health, a move that sparked sharp national debate.
While some applauded her boldness in tackling period stigma, others—including fellow lawmakers—accused her of breaching parliamentary decorum.
Later, in 2024, she was suspended by the Senate over allegations of misconduct and breach of privilege.
UDA’s disciplinary committee subsequently expelled her from the party in May 2025, citing “gross misconduct” and violating party rules.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi promptly declared her seat vacant, but the High Court swiftly issued an order halting her removal and suspending any further action by the party or the Senate until the legality of her expulsion is determined.
