The High Court in Nairobi has stopped the expulsion of Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued a conservatory order on Wednesday, May 21, suspending the party’s decision to expel Orwoba and to replace her in the Senate, pending the outcome of the case.
“That pending hearing and determination of this Application, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the implementation of the decision of the UDA Party Disciplinary Committee dated 16/05/2025 expelling the petitioner herein as a member of the UDA party and a nominated Senator,” the court stated in its ruling.
Orwoba filed the application under a certificate of urgency. The judge directed that the matter be mentioned in court on June 3, 2025, for further directions.
UDA had expelled Senator Orwoba on Monday, May 19, after she allegedly failed to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee.
Speaking to journalists, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar said the decision followed consultations and was based on Article 29 of the party’s constitution.
“Under Article 29 of the UDA Party Constitution, and having exhaustively deliberated on the matters before it, the Disciplinary Committee has resolved that Gloria Orwoba be expelled from the membership of the party with immediate effect,” Omar said.
He added that while the party respects freedom of expression, loyalty to party principles is essential to maintaining discipline and strengthening multiparty democracy. Omar further noted that Orwoba would no longer enjoy any privileges of membership or represent the party in any capacity.
The expulsion was widely seen as a result of Orwoba’s participation in a homecoming event for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in Kisii County. Her presence at the opposition-aligned event reportedly angered several UDA members, who accused her of going against the party’s code of conduct.
Earlier on Wednesday, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi published a gazette notice declaring Orwoba’s seat vacant, escalating the fallout.
