Drama at Parliament as ousted Senator Orwoba blocks gate

Former UDA nominated Senator Orwoba outside the Senate's entrance, Parliament, Nairobi where she was denied entry on August 27th, 2025 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The entry to Parliament came to a brief standstill on Wednesday after former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba blocked the entrance with her car after being denied access.

Orwoba, who was expelled from UDA in May, claimed that her replacement by Consolata Wakwabubi was illegal, and said she had gone to Parliament to serve court documents challenging the move.

Former UDA nominated Senator Orwoba outside Parliament. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

In a video seen by The Standard, Orwoba is heard confronting female security officers and daring them to arrest her.

“You have gotten orders from above? I’m not leaving here…I’ll stay here till evening; I’ve come to work. Any officer who wants to come and arrest me, please arrest me,” she is quoted as saying.

Former UDA-nominated Senator Orwoba was denied entry at the Senate entrance in Parliament, Nairobi, on Tuesday.

Video by Elvis Ogina. pic.twitter.com/EqY0XQ2srq — The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) August 27, 2025

On August 15, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazetted Wakwabubi as UDA’s nominated senator to replace Orwoba, citing her expulsion from  the Party’s register.

UDA cut ties with Orwoba on May 19, accusing her of disloyalty over her public support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid, as well as misconduct and violation of the party’s code of conduct.

The party’s disciplinary committee found her guilty and expelled her, triggering the loss of her Senate seat.

IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the replacement was done in line with electoral laws governing party-nominated seats.

Former UDA nominated Senator Orwoba outside Parliament. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]