The High Court in Nairobi has temporarily halted the expulsion of nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) pending a full hearing and determination of her application.
Justice Lawrence N. Mugambi, sitting at the Milimani Law Courts, issued the conservatory order on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, after reviewing Orwoba’s Notice of Motion and supporting affidavit filed under a certificate of urgency on May 20.
At the same time, the court blocked her ouster as a Senator pending the determination of her application.
“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/or a nominated senator,” the judge directed.
This order means that Orwoba remains a UDA member and retains her Senate seat for now, despite a gazette notice earlier in the day declaring her seat vacant.
Senate after Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi had earlier declared her seat vacant.
In a Gazette Notice dated May 21, 2025, and issued on the same day, Speaker Kingi announced the vacancy in accordance with Article 101(2) of the Constitution, following the invocation of Article 98(1)(b), which pertains to members elected to represent special interests.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that pursuant to Article 101(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, a seat of the Member of the Senate elected under Article 98(1)(b) of the Constitution, held by Senator Gloria Orwoba, has become vacant with effect from the 21st May, 2025,” the notice reads.
The ruling temporarily shields Orwoba from losing her political position as the legal battle over her expulsion proceeds.
Justice Mugambi set the next directions for the matter on June 3, 2025.
The court also issued a penal notice warning that any disobedience or non-compliance with the order would attract legal consequences.
