Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba is set to start her suspension from the Senate effective immediately.
This is after she was faulted for gross misconduct following remarks she made about a high-ranking officer of the Senate.
Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, who is also Senate Deputy Speaker, announced the suspension in a Wednesday session.
“Having considered this matter and taking note of the judgement delivered by the High Court, Senator Gloria Orwoba shall now forthwith commence her suspension,” Murungi said.
Murungi further explained that the 79 calendar days Orwoba was meant to serve in 2023 but had not begun would now start on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, running through to Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Given an opportunity to address the House, Orwoba apologised, expressing that it was never her intention to ridicule the Senate.
“Thank you for giving me this time to offer my apologies to the members of this House and the staff I may have offended. If I offended anyone, I offer my sincere apologies from the bottom of my heart,” she said.
In August 2023, Orwoba went to court, seeking conservatory orders to prevent the Senate Committee on Powers and Privileges from continuing with the inquiry into her conduct.
A conservatory order is a judicial remedy that temporarily halts actions or decisions until the matter is fully heard.
The court, however, declined to grant the orders, allowing the committee to proceed with the inquiry.
After the committee concluded its investigation, a report was tabled before the House, and a motion was debated regarding Orwoba’s suspension.
Senator Murungi noted that the resolutions adopted by the Senate recommended Orwoba's suspension for the remainder of the second session of the 13th Parliament, which ended on December 7, 2023.
Following the communication of this resolution, Orwoba once again moved to court, seeking orders to quash both the Senate's resolutions and their implementation.
The court granted her the orders, and the case was taken to Milimani High Court.
Orwoba was ordered to appear and present her case, but she refused to participate.
High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi, in his ruling, concurred with the Senate's decision, noting that Orwoba had been given an opportunity to present her case before the Powers and Privileges Committee but opted not to participate.
“Senator Gloria Orwoba was provided with an opportunity to appear and state her case, including raising any preliminary issues before the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee. Instead, she chose not to engage and walked out,” Mugambi said.
The Judge added that he did not find any violation of Orwoba’s right to fair administrative action or a fair hearing in this case, and he subsequently dismissed her petition.
On Wednesday, Senator Murungi noted that Orwoba had not served her suspension as previously resolved by the Senate due to the stay orders and that her suspension would now begin.