The Senate has resolved to reduce the suspension period of Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from 79 calendar days to 30 days, citing her display of remorse in the apology she issued on February 12, 2025.
Orwoba was initially suspended in September 2023 for misconduct within the precincts of Parliament.
She sought judicial intervention, securing a court order that temporarily halted the Senate’s decision.
However the High Court, in a ruling delivered on January 15, 2025, by Justice Lawrence Mugambi upheld the decision by the Senate, to suspend her from engaging in parliamentary activities.
“Senator Gloria Orwoba was provided with an opportunity to appear and state her case, presumably even raising all manner of preliminary issues before the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee but she instead opted not to participate and walked out on the committee,” Justice Mugambi added.
As a result, her suspension was set to last until May 1, 2025.
Senate’s resolution
In light of a communication from the Speaker on February 12, 2025, regarding the implementation of the resolution, the Senate acknowledged Orwoba’s apology and agreed to reduce her suspension period.
“Considering that Senator Orwoba has shown a considerable level of remorse and following the communication by the Speaker on February 12, 2025, on the implementation of the resolution of the Senate on the report of the Committee of Powers and Privileges on the conduct of Senator Gloria Orwoba, the Senator was apologetic for her conduct,” the Senator announced.
This adjustment allows Senator Orwoba to return to the Senate and its precincts on March 14, 2025, under the conditions outlined in the original resolution made on September 20, 2023.
“Therefore, pursuant to Section 17 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, the Senate resolves to amend the resolution made on September 20, 2023, which suspended Senator Gloria Orwoba from the Senate and its precincts for 79 calendar days, reducing the suspension period to 30 calendar days, effective from February 12, 2025, to March 13, 2025. After this period, she will be allowed back into the Senate and the precincts of Parliament under the terms resolved by the Senate on September 20, 2023,” the Senate announced.
Orwoba’s apology
Speaking on the floor of the House on February 12, 2025, Orwoba expressed regret for her actions and offered apologies to the members of the House and the staff who may have been offended by her misconduct.
She emphasized that it was never her intention to ridicule the Upper House.
“Thank you Speaker for giving me this time to possibly offer my apologies to the members of this house and the member of staff who I may have offended as I was pursuing whatever I was pursuing in terms of oversight. Mr Speaker, if there is anyone and I know there are people who have come up to me that I offended them, take this as my sincere apology and truly from the bottom of my heart, as you can see I have learnt how to be present,” she said.
“However, I do understand that I own my actions and I own up my space and so therefore as I proceed for my suspension, I do hope that those I have offended find it in their hearts to forgive me, it was my intention to make it seem like I’m trying to ridicule this Upper House,” she added.
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