Senate Seat Declared Vacant as Gloria Orwoba Ousted by UDA

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has officially declared the seat of nominated senator Gloria Orwoba vacant after her expulsion from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

In a notice published in the Kenya Gazette, Kingi referred to Article 101(2) and Article 98(1)(b) of the Kenyan Constitution, stating that Orwoba’s seat is now vacant with immediate effect.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that, according to Article 101(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, the seat of the member of the Senate elected under Article 98(1)(b), held by Gloria Orwoba, has become vacant as of 21st May 2025,” the gazette notice read.

Article 101(2) explains how vacancies in Parliament, including the Senate, should be handled, requiring the Speaker to act within 21 days of question, while Article 98(1)(b) deals with everything about the nomination of the sixteen women to the Senate by political parties.

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This move by Speaker Kingi comes days after the UDA, led by President William Ruto, expelled Orwoba, citing disloyalty and breaches of party discipline.

Her removal was largely connected to her open support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, a figure at odds with the ruling party.

Orwoba’s attendance at his homecoming events in April and early May was viewed as a direct challenge to UDA’s leadership, triggering a fast response from the party’s disciplinary committee.

In a statement, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar announced Orwoba’s immediate expulsion and promptly nominated Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi, from Kimilili Constituency in Bungoma County, to replace her, and notified the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to formalise the transition and the Senate to effect the action.

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