Former Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba was on Wednesday morning blocked from entering the Senate chambers during a plenary session on the impeachment of Kericho Governor Eric Mutai.
Security officers manning Parliament’s gates denied her access despite Orwoba presenting a court order reinstating her to the House. Her pleas to be allowed in were unsuccessful, with officers insisting they had not received instructions to clear her entry.
Speaking outside Parliament, Orwoba expressed frustration, accusing Senate Speaker Amason Kingi of contravening the Constitution by allowing newly nominated Senator Consolata Nabwire to sit in her place.
“As long as Consolata is sitting in the Senate now, that sitting is unlawful. She is a stranger on the floor of the House. No impeachment is going on with a stranger in the Senate,” Orwoba said.
She further urged Kericho residents to reject the ongoing proceedings, claiming they were “unlawful” and meant to shortchange them.
The standoff unfolded a week after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal directed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to reverse actions taken against Orwoba. The tribunal faulted the party for failing to give her a fair hearing, ruling that UDA’s disciplinary process was politically motivated and riddled with procedural irregularities.
According to the ruling, Orwoba was also denied access to the disciplinary committee’s decision, which prevented her from appealing.
The Senate is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
