Women lawyers slam Senate for refusing Gloria Orwoba’s apology

The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) has slammed the Senate for forcing nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba to read the plenary-approved apology before resuming the sittings.

According to FIDA, it is a violation of the human rights of Orwoba and the 2010 constitution.

In her statement, FIDA chairperson Christine Kungu said the unfair treatment towards the specially elected senator reflects the unfair treatment and discrimination against women in political arenas in the country.

She noted that the upper house has become unresponsive to gender-specific challenges facing female leaders.

“As a nominated leader and a woman in governance, Senator Orwoba’s case highlights the broader treatment of women in political spaces, which is often marred by discriminatory practices, harassment, and unfair treatment in leadership and governance including other issues affecting women in political leadership,” she said.

She added that they are closely monitoring the situation and necessary steps shall be taken to ensure that the nominated senator is fairly and justly treated.

Kungu said the federation is closely monitoring the situation and will take the necessary steps to ensure that the senator is accorded a fair and just process.

“FIDA-Kenya reaffirms that it will take all necessary steps to ensure that Senator Orwoba, and any other woman in a similar position, is not subjected to inhumane, degrading, or discriminatory treatment,” she added.

She stressed the need for National assemblies, county assemblies, government institutions, and independent entities to respect and uphold women’s rights.

Yesterday, a confrontation was witnessed between nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi after the senator refused to read her written apology to the Assembly as approved by the plenary.

The nominated senator stated that it would be prejudice as there is an ongoing court case and the prepared apology contained a self-incriminating statement.

The parts that the lawmaker refused to read included a clause that acknowledged she had acted in a manner that constituted a breach of parliamentary privilege which reflected adversely on the dignity and the integrity of Parliament a matter that she previously refuted.

Instead, she insisted on her own, which stated: “I, Senator Gloria Orwoba, hereby tender my unreserved apology to this Senate. I undertake that I shall abide by the responsibilities of leadership as set out in the constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012, and the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act 2017. I therefore beseech to be admitted to the chamber. I thank you,.|

However, not satisfied, Kingi ordered her to read   the one endorsed by the plenary.

He gave an ultimatum for her to re-read the prescribed apology or go and come back when to read it as it is.

It was at this point that Orwoba stood her ground, refusing to self-incriminate herself on the ongoing court case and opted to walk away instead.

Orwoba whose suspension was reduced from 79 days to thirty was to deliver the apology to the Senate before being allowed in the chambers.