The Senate Powers and Privileges Committee has suspended Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from her parliamentary duties until February 2024 due to allegations of severe misconduct.
The harsh decision was arrived at by the Committee on Thursday, August 1o when deliberating the conduct of the Senator.
The committee headed by Speaker Amason Kingi, made the ruling following Orwoba’s repeated failure to respond to invitations and summons related to the accusations brought against her.
Should this suspension be approved, Senator Orwoba will be prohibited from participating in Senate plenary and committee sessions. This may result in result in a forfeiture of her sitting allowance. The allowances are a crucial financial bonus for many legislators, especially during these tough economic times.
Furthermore, she will also be denied access to the Parliament premises during the suspension period.
The suspension also extends to a ban on both domestic and international travel. Travel provides handsome allowances, which lawmakers use to supplement their regular income.
The committee’s recommendation outlines a course of action for Orwoba’s eventual return to the Senate. Upon resumption of the Senate sessions in February 2024, Orwoba is expected to offer a formal apology to the Senate. She will also be required to apologize to her fellow Senators, the Senate clerk, and the Parliament Secretariat.
Only after extending this apology will she be reinstated as a member of the Senate.
Charges against Senator Orwoba
The disciplinary committee’s decision to suspend Senator Orwoba stems from two main charges.
Firstly, the committee found that Orwoba had made unsubstantiated claims regarding instances of sexual favoritism within Parliament. These allegations were communicated through various messages posted by the Senator on the Senate Business WhatsApp Group on multiple occasions.
In addition, the committee found that Orwoba had also made baseless allegations of favoritism and discrimination within the parliamentary body.
The second charge against Orwoba pertains to her disrespectful behavior towards fellow Senators, as well as her casting of unwarranted aspersions on their intentions. The committee cited instances where Senator Orwoba had published information on the Senate Business WhatsApp Group that exhibited disrespect towards her colleagues.
The severity of this punishment is drawing attention within the Senate.
Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot expressed concern over the negative impact on the reputation of the House. Cheruiyot emphasized the need for collective wisdom and unity among Senators to address such situations without devolving into partisan conflicts.
Senator Okongó Omogeni of Nyamira also voiced his perspective on the matter. He highlighted the unprecedented nature of the harsh disciplinary measures against a parliamentary member. He particularly cited the implications on the suspension against the young female legislator, one who, in his view, should be nurtured and supported.
The Senate will engage in a debate on the committee’s report before proceeding to vote on the final decision regarding Senator Gloria Orwoba’s fate.
‘Stained trousers’
This is however not the first time the Senator has been kicked out of the parliament.
In February of this year, the UDA nominated Senator was kicked out of parliament by speaker Amason Kingi for having a pink stain on her trousers. The pink stains were on her groin area.
The senator had attended the parliamentary session spotting in a white blazer, green top, and matching white trouser that was however seemingly sported a pink stain.
The matter was raised on the floor of the House on a point of order by fellow Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda. Mutinda described Orwoba’s dressing as “inappropriate” and “indecent.”
“As a woman and a Senator, I find it very uncomfortable, very inappropriate, for our colleague Senator Gloria. We don’t understand if she’s on the normal woman cycle or if she is faking it. It is so indecent. It disturbs me, as a woman” argued Mutinda at the time.
‘Period stigma’
Orwoba however interjected claiming that she was being victimised for going through what women go through every month. She went ahead to accuse her fellow Senators of subjecting her to “period stigma,” which she says affects many young women in the country.
“I think I’m dressed as per the standing orders; I’m covered, I have a suit, I have collars, I’m just short of a tie. I’m disappointed because the point of order that is being raised to try and attack an accident that is natural. I have stained my clothes. I just want to know, while we’re discussing this issue that is not even in the Order Paper, is it because Senators are not women who have periods? Because then maybe I shouldn’t be in this House,” she stated in her defense.
