Blow to Gloria Orwoba as Speaker Kingi announces vacancy in her Senate seat

In a gazette notice on Wednesday, Speaker Kingi noted that the vacancy takes effect on May 21.

This comes after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) expelled Orwoba for gross misconduct and violating the party's constitution and code of conduct.

UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar said in a press statement on Monday that the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) unanimously approved the expulsion in response to the Disciplinary Committee's recommendations. 

Senator Orwoba was found guilty of several counts of misconduct, including making public statements that harmed the party's image and repeatedly failing to respond to disciplinary charges.

The ruling party further withdrew its sponsorship of the legislator to the Senate and nominated Consolata Wabwire Wakwabubi, who hails from Kimilili in Bungoma, to replace her.

Orwoba's attempt to challenge the expulsion was dismissed by the High Court in Nairobi as Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled that the application was incompetent, citing procedural irregularities.