Nominated Senator Gloria OrwobaThe Senate has resolved to vary its resolution suspending Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from the Senate and precincts of Parliament from 79 days to 30 days.
The Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who moved the motion said the decision to have Orwoba suspended from the house for only 30 days was due to the fact that she has shown a considerable level of remorse.
Cheruiyot said following the communication made by the Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi on February 12 on the implementation of the resolution of the Senate on the Report of the Committee of Powers and Privileges on the conduct of Orwoba, the senator should be allowed to the house on March 13 this year.
“The Senator is apologetic of her conduct pursuant to sections 17(3)(d) and (g) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, therefore the Senate resolves to vary its resolution suspending Senator Orwoba from the Senate and precincts of Parliament for 79 calendar days and reduces the suspension period to 30 calendar days,” said Cheruiyot.
The Majority Leader said the Nominated Senator who commenced her suspension on February 12 this year shall be allowed back to the Senate and the precincts of Parliament on March 13 this year on the terms resolved by the Senate on September 20, 2023.
Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo seconded the motion to reduce Orwoba suspension to 30 days, noting that she had apologised to the house admitting her wrong doing and that it was prudent to reduce her suspension period since she had learnt a lesson and will not likely repeat her mistakes.
“The standing orders do not have provisions on going back on matters approved in the house, I would like to know if the people affected by the conduct of Senator Orwoba have said anything about the matter before the house makes a resolution on the matter,” said Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Parliamentary Service Commission Vice Chairperson Joyce Korir appealed to fellow Senators to allow Orwoba to return to the house on March 13 by reducing her suspension to one month arguing that everyone makes mistakes in the performance of their work.
West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor said that 30 days were enough for Orwoba to learn calling on her to show the house that she was remorseful when she comes back by not repeating such a mistake again by dealing with her colleagues and Senate staff with decorum.
Orwoba apologised to the Senate as she begins her suspension Orwoba when she got a chance to address the house immediately after Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi delivered a communication to the house on the matter on February 12 this year.
The Nominated Senator told the house she regretted her actions and offered apologies to fellow Senators and members of staff who may have been offended by her misconduct stating that it was never her intention to appear like she was ridiculing the House.
She was accused for making unsubstantiated allegations of sexual favours by some parliamentary officials.
