Dramatic scenes as former senator Orwoba is arrested, released
Politics
By
Josphat Thiongó
| Apr 30, 2026
Former Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba was on Wednesday arrested after an unsuccessful attempt to access the precincts of Parliament.
Her arrest came in the afternoon after her vehicle, which was parked at the main Parliament entrance blocked access to the precincts, prompting an altercation with the Sergeants-at-arms.
Orwoba, who was armed with court documents, had sought to access the Senate chamber where plenary sittings were ongoing but was denied access leading to a scuffle before her vehicle was eventually towed.
The former lawmaker was heard shouting, demanding that she be let in premised on the fact that a court ruling had found her suspension from the House illegal and that it had directed that she be reinstated.
READ MORE
Small business, big ecosystems: From insights to action: The next step for small businesses
Forex reserves slide as Iran war tests Kenya economy firepower
Tea export levy raises concerns among growers
Top bank chiefs reap millions in pay and perks on bumper profits
Economic Survey 2026 delivered no surprises
Why local exporters are losing money amid regional expansion
Kenya, India pen customs cooperation pact
Nairobi to Host iGaming africa summit as sector eyes growth, regulation
Govt. highlights Nairobi's role as global consensus hub ahead of Africa Forward Summit
2026 economic data shows growth comes from reforms, not speeches
“I am not obstructing anyone. In fact you are the ones obstructing me from accessing my workplace. I am the one who should be arresting you for obstructing me. I am not here to serve the court papers. They have already served the Senate and that is why I am here,” said a visibly agitated Orwoba.
Shortly after, uniformed female officers appeared and whisked her away to the nearby Bunge Police Station. Her car was also subsequently towed away. The altercation lasted approximately 15 minutes before calm and normalcy was restored.
This week’s incident marked the second in which the former senator had tried to storm Parliament. On August 25, 2025, Orwoba had tried to gain access to the facility to present her reinstatement papers following a court ruling in her favour but was denied entry. This prompted a confrontation with the security officers.
During the confrontation, Orwoba claimed that she was legally in office and that she should be let into the Senate where a special sitting to consider the impeachment motion against Kericho governor Eric Mutai was ongoing.
The former nominated senator was replaced by Consolata Wakwabubi shortly after her nomination to the House was withdrawn by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
“As long as that lady called Consolata Wakwabubi is sitting in that Senate, that sitting is illegal. That is a stranger on the floor of the House. That is a basis for an appeal for whatever outcome the impeachment will bring out,” she exclaimed as her presence at the gate continued to draw attention.
“I have the orders that have removed her (Consolata) from the seat yet the Speaker of the Senate continues to entertain illegalities. The people of Kericho should know that whatever they (senators) are doing is not legal because there is a stranger who is sitting and thinking that she is executing an impeachment,” she added.
All this time, she kept daring officers who were on the other side of the gate to arrest her, further accusing the Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenyeh of being behind her denial of entry.
In defiance, she blocked the Senate entrance with her vehicle denying access to any cars seeking entry or exit.
“You can arrest me. Shoot me in the foot because you have orders from above but this car is going to work.... I know the law and I have everything required to gain access to the Senate,” she said.