UDA nominates Gloria Orwoba's replacement amid court halt

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has nominated Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi to replace expelled Senator Gloria Orwoba, but the process faces a legal hurdle after the High Court issued orders temporarily suspending the expulsion and the planned replacement.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi had, in a Gazette Notice dated May 21, 2025, declared Orwoba’s seat vacant under Article 101(2) of the Constitution. The move followed UDA’s expulsion of Orwoba earlier this year on grounds of disloyalty and misconduct.

However, in a dramatic twist, Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued conservatory orders halting both the expulsion and the subsequent replacement, pending the full hearing and determination of Orwoba’s case. The judge observed that the matter raised weighty constitutional questions around political rights, fair administrative action, and due process.

“The petitioner risks irreparable harm if the seat is filled before the court determines the legality of her removal,” Justice Mugambi stated.

UDA has maintained that its internal disciplinary procedures were properly followed. A senior party official, speaking on condition of anonymity, defended the process: “We followed our constitution to the letter. The court is encroaching on the party’s right to self-govern.”

Orwoba, who was nominated to the Senate in 2022 to represent women’s interests, insists her expulsion was politically motivated. “This is a witch-hunt designed to silence progressive voices. I trust the courts will uphold justice,” she told reporters after the ruling.

Her legal team argues that she was denied a fair hearing and that the party's internal tribunal acted ultra vires. The case is expected to test the delicate balance between party discipline and individual political rights under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.

Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is yet to process Wabwire’s nomination, partly because its new commissioners are still awaiting parliamentary vetting. This bureaucratic delay means that even without the court’s intervention, a final decision on the replacement could have been weeks away.

Orwoba remains a high-profile figure. In 2023, she sparked a national debate on menstrual dignity by appearing in the Senate with a visible period stain to protest period poverty—a move that divided public opinion but underscored her bold approach to advocacy.

With legal proceedings now underway and political pressure mounting, the saga has turned into a high-stakes battle between UDA’s internal authority and judicial oversight. The case will return to court on 3 June 2025 for further directions.