Court Bars UDA from Punishing Gloria Orwoba for Attending Fred Matiang’i’s Homecoming
- The High Court has suspended UDA's disciplinary case against Senator Gloria Orwoba after she challenged it as a political witch hunt aimed at ousting her
- Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued conservatory orders halting the proceedings, saying the case must be heard fully before any disciplinary action is taken
- Orwoba, through her lawyer, Moses Mabeya, told the court the disciplinary summons was issued before any formal complaint was lodged
- In her court papers, Orwoba claimed UDA's disciplinary body had become a political executioner, lacking transparency
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - The High Court has temporarily suspended disciplinary proceedings by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) against nominated senator Gloria Orwoba for attending Fred Matiang’i’s homecoming.
Source: Facebook
The orders by Justice Lawrence Mugambi will remain in force until a case she has filed challenging the party’s decision is heard and determined.
"That pending hearing and determination of this application, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending disciplinary proceedings by the respondent against the petitioner founded on the allegations contained in a letter to the petitioner by the United Democratic Alliance - Ref UDA/7/DISP/25 dated 07/05/2025," the order reads in part.
Orwoba moved to the High Court seeking urgent intervention to halt what she describes as a politically motivated attempt to unlawfully expel her from her position and the party.
Orwoba challenges UDA party
She is challenging the move by the UDA Disciplinary Committee to summon her for allegedly violating the party's code of conduct by aligning herself with former CS Matiang’i and attending his homecoming.
Under a certificate of urgency filed by her lawyer, Moses N. Mabeya of Mabeya & Mabeya Advocates, Orwoba accuses UDA of procedural impropriety, bias, and constitutional violations in a disciplinary process she claims is designed to oust her unfairly.
In the application, filed just one day before a scheduled disciplinary hearing set for today (Friday, May 16, 2025), Orwoba has accused the party of a political witch hunt.
"That summoning of the petitioner is very unreasonable and marred with procedural impropriety. It’s a political witch hunt meant to embarrass, bully, oust and unlawfully remove her from the position of a nominated Senator," she states in court papers.
According to her petition, the disciplinary summons was issued on May 7, notably a full week before the actual complaint was formally lodged on May 14.
Why does Orwoba think UDA is being unfair?
This timing, Orwoba argues, signals a predetermined outcome and suggests that the disciplinary committee is being manipulated to serve political interests.
“The respondents, sitting as a quasi-judicial body, has turned into a political executioner,” the petition reads, warning that if the disciplinary process proceeds, it could make a “mockery of justice” and infringe on Orwoba’s constitutional rights to fair hearing and administrative action.
Mabeya further contends that the party lacks a clear legal framework for such disciplinary action against a nominated senator, effectively placing the process entirely in the hands of UDA with no checks or transparency.
“The respondent is acting as judge, jury, and executioner,” the application states. “This is a political witch hunt meant to embarrass, bully, and unlawfully remove her.”
Source: UGC
Orwoba’s legal team is seeking the court’s urgent intervention to suspend the disciplinary hearing and bar the UDA and Registrar of Political Parties, named as an interested party, from taking any action that could see her removed from office.
In a statement signed by Committee Chairperson Charles Njenga on May 7, UDA cited three instances of misconduct, including her attendance at the welcoming of Matiang’i at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Orwoba declares support for Matiang'i
Earlier, during the homecoming rally in Gusii Stadium, Orwoba expressed support for the former Interior Cabinet Secretary's 2027 presidential bid.
Orwoba reportedly praised Matiang'i's leadership qualities, suggesting he would champion women's rights and minority interests.
Her endorsement, however, allegedly led to tensions within the UDA.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Didacus Malowa (Political and current affairs editor) Didacus Malowa is a political and current affairs editor at TUKO.co.ke. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Media Technology with IT from Maseno University in 2021. He has over two years of experience in digital journalism. Email: [email protected]
Zipporah Weru (Freelance editor) Zipporah Weru is a professional journalist with a bias towards human interest, human rights, crimes and court reporting with over 14 years’ experience in journalism. She is currently covering civil, criminal and constitutional cases across Nairobi courts. She holds a Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations from the Technical University of Kenya. You can reach her at [email protected].
