The Senate’s handling of Senator Gloria Orwoba’s case has sparked outrage, with ODM MP Millie Odhiambo leading the charge against what she describes as a flawed and authoritarian approach.
Orwoba, who made allegations against specific individuals, found herself at the center of a Senate directive to issue a prescribed apology—a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Odhiambo and others who view it as an infringement on free speech and due process.
In a passionate address, Odhiambo questioned the Senate’s methods, stating, “She made an allegation against a specific person/people.
All the Senate needed to do is to investigate and if the allegations are proven to be false or malicious, then she should be allowed to apologize in her own words.”
She further criticized the Senate’s decision to force Orwoba to read a scripted apology, asking, “How can you have a prescribed apology and force a Senator to read it? How is that even an apology?”
Odhiambo also called on the Senate Speaker to reconsider the approach, urging the institution to use this moment as an opportunity to address a glaring gap in its policies. “If I were you, I would use this as a chance to come up with a clear sexual harassment policy which is missing,” she emphasized.
Her remarks highlight the absence of a formal framework to handle such sensitive issues, leaving room for arbitrary and potentially unfair decisions.
The controversy has reignited debates about accountability, freedom of expression, and the need for transparent mechanisms to address allegations within Kenya’s legislative bodies.
As the Senate faces mounting pressure to rethink its stance, the case serves as a litmus test for how Kenya’s political institutions balance justice, fairness, and the rights of elected officials.
Will the Senate rise to the occasion, or will this controversy further erode public trust in its processes? Only time will tell.
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