Senator Gloria Orwoba has lost her seat in the Kenyan Senate, the official government gazette confirmed on Wednesday. The notice, published in a special issue of The Kenya Gazette, announced the seat as vacant with immediate effect.
The vacancy stems from Article 101(2) of the Constitution, which outlines conditions under which a member’s seat becomes unoccupied. Though the Gazette did not provide further explanation, this article generally covers grounds such as resignation, prolonged absence, or disqualification.
The declaration was formally signed by Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi, dated 21 May 2025.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that… a seat of the Member of the Senate elected under Article 98 (1)(b)… has become vacant,” the notice reads.
Gloria Orwoba was elected to represent women under Article 98(1)(b) of the Constitution, which provides for seats reserved for women to promote gender equity in Parliament.
Her term, marked by bold advocacy, particularly on menstrual health and gender rights, drew both praise and criticism. She gained attention for bringing the issue of period poverty to the Senate floor, a topic rarely addressed so openly in Kenyan politics.
In a past interview, Orwoba had said, “If we can’t speak openly about the things that affect women, then we’re failing half the country.”
Attempts to reach her for comment on the latest development were unsuccessful by press time.
With the seat now vacant, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to announce plans for a by-election or nomination to fill the position, depending on the legal process.
Political analysts say this move could shift dynamics in the Senate, especially with more women pushing for representation and policy reforms. However, others see it as a routine procedural matter.
“This is not unexpected,” said constitutional lawyer Mary Atieno. “Seats vacated mid-term do happen, and the law provides clear guidelines for filling them.”
Still, questions remain about what led to the vacancy. If disqualification was involved, details are likely to emerge in the coming weeks.
For now, the spotlight remains on the Senate and the IEBC as they prepare for what comes next.
