Senator Orwoba's controversy, tumultuous tenure

Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba. PHOTO/FILE.

Senator Gloria Orwoba's aggressive push to retain her seat comes against the backdrop of great controversy that has marred her stint as a nominated MP of the ruling UDA party.

The nominated senator now joins the list of former lawmakers expelled from their political parties over gross misconduct.

However, her fate lies in the courts after she managed to quash UDA's decision to expel her from the party and as a nominated senator.

On May 20, 2025, the High Court stayed the implementation of UDA's resolution until a case filed by the senator challenging the party's move is heard and determined.

On May 21, 2025, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi declared the seat of nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba vacant, following the party's ratification of her expulsion for gross misconduct and violation of the party’s constitution.

The decision, which comes just four days before Orwoba’s 39th birthday, could mark the end of her political career.

The party had also withdrawn its Senate sponsorship and nominated Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi from Bungoma County as her replacement.

However, the implementation of this decision has been stayed until June 3 when Justice Lawrance Mugambi will issue further directions.

Her time in the Senate has been turbulent, marked by controversy and disciplinary issues.

In 2023, she faced suspension after alleging sexual harassment by a senior Senate official and accusing colleagues of corruption.

When summoned by the Senate’s Powers and Privileges Committee, Orwoba declined to appear, opting instead to file multiple court petitions.

The courts later ruled that she was given an adequate opportunity to respond and that due process had been followed.

In February 2025, she began a 79-day suspension from the Senate

She was only allowed to resume in March after reluctantly reading a plenary-drafted apology, having earlier refused, arguing it was self-incriminating.

Orwoba's troubles 

Orwoba's troubles with UDA stemmed from her decision to join former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i's camp during his return at JKIA and the homecoming ceremony at Gusii stadium.

Orwoba clarified her presence during the reception ceremony and the 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.

A brief profile

Born on May 25, 1986, in Kisii County, Orwoba rose to national attention through her “Uji Ya Glo” nutrition programme, which provided porridge and bread to primary school pupils in Bobasi Constituency.

She studied at State House Primary and St. George’s Girls in Kilimani, later pursuing architecture and social work at the University of Nairobi.

She lived in Sweden from 2015, managing Facebook’s data centre in Denmark, and returned to Kenya in 2019 to enter politics.

After losing the 2022 UDA primaries for the Bobasi parliamentary seat, she was nominated to the Senate by the party to represent women.

Menstrual health advocacy

Orwoba has been a vocal advocate for menstrual health and period poverty awareness.

In 2023, she made a motion urging the government to provide free sanitary products and disposal infrastructure in schools.

Her most controversial moment came on February 14, 2023, when she attended a Senate session wearing white pants visibly stained red.

While some lawmakers called it indecent, Orwoba claimed it was an accident she used to highlight menstrual stigma.

The incident sparked mixed reactions, with some accusing her of staging it, while others praised her boldness.

Following the episode, she launched the “Glo's Pad Bank” initiative and campaigned for increased funding for free sanitary products.

Her advocacy led to a significant budget increase—from Sh260 million to Sh940 million—in the 2023/2024 financial year.

She also plans to establish a local nonprofit sanitary pad factory to create jobs for vulnerable women and increase access to eco-friendly menstrual products in schools and prisons.

Despite her recent political setbacks, Orwoba’s advocacy has left a lasting impact on Kenya’s menstrual health landscape.