Senator Orwoba allowed back to Senate as Speaker Amason Kingi defends decision to suspend her

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on Tuesday allowed Senator Orwoba in the House in light of the court order but noted that the Senate is 'dissatisfied' with the court ruling.

The Speaker added that the Senate would defend in court its decision to suspend Orwoba, noting that she was accorded a fair hearing and that the House did not breach any law in its verdict.

"Having considered this matter after taking to account previous rulings of the Speakers of Parliament and co-decisions, it is my ruling that whereas the Senate is disastified with the conservatory order obtained by Senator Orwoba, the Senate shall comply with the said order while reserving its right to vigorously defend its position in court to demonstrate that indeed the Senate accorded the honourable senator due process and that the senate did not breach the constitution or any other in arriving at the decision to suspend the Senator," ruled the Speaker.

Orwoba, who had been suspended by the Senate for six months, last month obtained orders from Machakos High Court Judge Justice Rayola Olel although senators were divided on whether to allow her back in the house.

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch upon noticing Orwoba in the house on October 3, stood on a point of order, seeking to know why she was in the House and yet she had been suspended.

Oketch’s question led to Senators urging the Speaker to exercise his powers and ensure the integrity of the House.

Majority Whip Bonny Khalwale asked the speaker not to entertain the orders issued, as the decision to suspend Orwoba was issued by the senate and not by the speaker.

“If the court has purported to serve you and in the absence of a motion which has received the majority of the House whereby it has rescinded that decision, when then does the Speaker find it possible to implement the court order which apparently is limited to him?” Khalwale posed on October 3.

In response to the matter, the Speaker promised to retire to his chambers to draft a ruling on whether Senator Orwoba will be allowed to continue sitting in the House or they would ignore the court order.

Orwoba was accused of making unsubstantiated allegations that there were instances of pursuit of sexual favours in parliament by posting messages on the senate business Whatsapp group.

She also faced charges of making allegations of favouritism and discrimination on the Senate Whatsapp group and during a press conference as well as unsubstantiated reports of corruption in the Senate.

She was summoned to the Powers and Privileges Committee, but she allegedly failed to appear and defend herself leading to the suspension. 

“Having accorded Senator Gloria Orwoba an opportunity to be heard, the senator declined to participate in the inquiry by the committee on Powers and Privileges and hence the committee found the charges to stand,’’ the report by the Committee stated.