Gloria Orwoba: Reprieve For Nominated Senator as High Court Suspends UDA Decision to Expel Her

• Justice Lawrence Mugambi said the UDA party’s expulsion of Senator Gloria Orwoba would be suspended until her petition is fully heard and determined
• Orwoba claimed UDA defied a previous court order by proceeding with her expulsion and informing state agencies of her replacement
• Her lawyers told the court that UDA acted in contempt by moving with “supersonic speed” and denying her a fair internal appeal
• In her petition, Orwoba accused top UDA officials of bad faith and warned that ignoring court orders would undermine judicial authority

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 halted the expulsion of nominated senator Gloria Orwoba from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, pending the determination of a petition she filed challenging the party’s decision.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the Milimani Law Courts issued a conservatory order suspending the implementation of the UDA Disciplinary Committee’s decision to expel Orwoba and revoke her nomination to the Senate.

The ruling followed an urgent application filed by the senator on May 20, 2025.

"Pending hearing and determination of this Application, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the implementation of the decision of the UDA Party Disciplinary Committee dated 16/05/2025 expelling the Petitioner herein as member of the UDA party and/or a nominated senator. Further directions on 3/06/2025," Justice Mugambi’s order stated.

The court further warned that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served would result in penal consequences.

Why did Gloria Orwoba appeal her expulsion?

Orwoba, through her legal team, Mabeya & Mabeya Advocates, claimed the party defied an earlier court order dated Thursday, May 15, which barred it from proceeding with the disciplinary hearing.

Despite the order, she alleged that UDA acted in contempt by notifying various institutions, including the Senate Speaker, the IEBC, and the Registrar of Political Parties, of her expulsion and replacement.

According to Orwoba, these actions were carried out with “supersonic speed” and without offering her a fair opportunity to appeal through internal party mechanisms.

"The party has immediately circulated communication of an alleged nomination of another member," read the petition.

In her petition, Orwoba named UDA, the Registrar of Political Parties, and senior party officials, among them Charles Njenga and Cecily Mbarire, as respondents, accusing them of contempt of court and acting in bad faith.

“This conduct, if unchecked, threatens to render judicial authority meaningless," the petition reads, urging the court to intervene and stop what she describes as an “illegal and unlawful” decision.

Why was Gloria Orwoba expelled

UDA, on its part, announced Orwoba’s expulsion during a press briefing, stating she would no longer enjoy party privileges or act on its behalf.

The party's secretary general reiterated UDA’s respect for freedom of expression but underscored that loyalty to party ideals is crucial for strengthening multiparty democracy.

Orwoba’s expulsion was primarily linked to her participation in a homecoming event for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in Kisii County, an act party members deemed a violation of the party’s code of conduct and labelled as gross misconduct.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke