Orwoba explains presence at Matiang'i's reception, homecoming ceremonies

Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has broken her silence about the allegations raised by the UDA concerning the party’s code of conduct.

Orwoba on Friday clarified about her presence during the reception ceremony of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i at JKIA and the homecoming celebration held at Gusii Stadium.

She explained that coming from the same community as Matiang’i, attending such events should not be a cause or construed to mean she had ditched the party.

“I come from a community. We have social friends. How many people have you seen going to social events? Social events are bipartisan, a homecoming is bipartisan,” she said.

“Going for a homecoming should not amount to someone saying you are no longer loyal to a party.”

“By the way, Matiang’i is my relative as we speak.”

Orwoba was addressing the press on Friday outside Hustler Plaza after presenting a court order stopping the hearing of a disciplinary action against her.

She was accompanied by her legal team.

The senator was expected to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee to explain her actions and provide reasons why disciplinary measures should not be taken against her.

Party’s disciplinary committee chairperson Charles Njenga cited three instances of what he termed “misconduct” by the senator in a letter dated May 7.

Key among them was Orwoba’s presence at the welcoming ceremony of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i at JKIA, as well as her attendance at his homecoming celebration held at Gusii Stadium.

The committee also raised concerns over Orwoba’s recent interview with Spice FM on April 22, where she openly criticised the government’s labour mobility programme- a key component of President William Ruto’s administration.

"Your participation and utterances in the above stated events clearly demonstrate instances and proof of allegiance to another political movement, conduct unbecoming and disloyalty to the United Democratic Alliance Party (hereafter the party) and which nominated you to the office and position of Senator in the Senate of the Republic of Kenya," read the statement in part.

But, Orwoba has termed this as a “witch hunt by external parties involved in the diaspora jobs scam”.