MPs fault mishandling of ex-senator Orwoba even after being reinstated by tribunal
Lesuuda stated that nominated legislators have previously been allowed to serve their full term even when they openly defied the parties that sponsored them
Legislators have come out to defend former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba after she was blocked from accessing the Senate, where she had gone to present tribunal orders reinstating her.
Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda pointed out a double standards in the handling the matter.
According to Lesuuda, such acts of people going against parties that nominated them have been ignored, yet the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) decided to kick out Orwoba.
She stated that nominated legislators have previously been allowed to serve their full term even when they openly defied the parties that sponsored them.
“Gloria Orwoba may have defied her party, but let’s not be hypocritical; many nominated senators in the last parliament openly went against the parties that nominated them, opposing then-President Uhuru and his policies, yet served full terms,” Lesuuda stated.
She insisted that fairness must apply equally across the political divide, noting that selective punishment undermines credibility.
In what she has termed as selective amnesia, the MP urged political institutions to adhere to the rule of law strictly.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right. What’s good for the goose must always be good for the gander, regardless of which side one is on. Let’s stop selective amnesia! If it’s about the law, then read it and follow it regardless,” Lesuuda said.
On her Part, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has stated that the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) has noted with concern how the former senator was handled yesterday.
She said that FIDA is closely monitoring the situation as she called for her to be treated with dignity and respect without violating her rights.
FIDA-Kenya also said it has taken unfortunate developments involving Orwoba and is closely monitoring the situation.
It said Orwoba must be treated with the dignity and respect due to every woman, and her rights must be upheld without violation. Importantly, the rule of law must be fully observed in this matter,” she stated.
On Thursday, drama was witnessed outside the Senate entrance after Orwoba was denied entry into the precincts of Parliament where she had gone with court orders indicating her reinstatement.
While shouting at the security guards at the entrance, Orwoba claimed to have legally resumed her duties as a senator as she accused them of acting on ‘orders from above.’
“You have been given orders from above, right? I have come to work and I am not going home. I will only go home when you close the Senate,” the former legislator is heard shouting as she dares the officers present to arrest her.
Orwoba confronted a female officer, insisting she was ready to be taken in.
Later, she was revealed that she had been detained in Central Police Station awaiting her charges which were being booked at Parliament Police Station.
Orwoba added that police chiefs at Central Police Station told her they could charge he because the individual who triggered the arrest was not here and they were the ones to charge her.
The drama ensued after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), which is chaired by Desma Nungo, ruled that UDA’s disciplinary process was marred by procedural lapses that breached fairness and natural justice and nullified it.
“There was no fair opportunity for hearing, and the complainant was not furnished with the impugned decision,” the tribunal said.
It further noted that key documents, including the complaint letter, were unsigned and undated, while there was no evidence that the expulsion decision was served to her.
The PPDT found that the irregularities stripped UDA’s disciplinary process of legality.
