Senator Gloria Orwoba has made damning claims in a passionate statement, boldly asserting herself as a whistleblower while fervently defending her actions in response to her suspension from the Kenyan Senate. 

This revelation comes amidst her six-month suspension, embroiled in a web of allegations and controversies surrounding her conduct and statements within the parliamentary chamber.

Senator Orwoba's statement, delivered in a video while she was en route to her next engagement, left no room for ambiguity regarding her stance. She declared:

"I have been forced to make this video because I've been advised that there is actually a problem there will be serious... someone has called me and told me that I am being debated, and the senator I have, I don't, I can't follow... I am told that Senator Sifuna is talking about me being given an opportunity to defend myself and yet I refuse to defend myself. First of all, that is not the case. I complained and I continue to complain... that the clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye, solicited for sexual favours from me, and once I refused to participate in that kind of arrangement, then the retaliation began."

Senator Orwoba's bold assertion of being a whistleblower underscored her commitment to bringing to light what she perceives as wrongdoing within the Senate. 

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"I am a whistleblower, and this is what I get for it. But let's not anyone like you that I was given an opportunity... no, I was charged for complaining and highlighting the corruption," she continued.



Senator Orwoba's suspension arises from a slew of controversies, including her allegations of sexual favours involving parliamentary officials. 

These allegations have stirred controversy due to her inability to provide concrete evidence to substantiate her claims.

Furthermore, she faced accusations of imputing improper motives on her fellow Senators, allegations that were substantiated by her refusal to appear before the Powers and Privileges Committee to defend herself.

The Senate, in a majority vote, decided to suspend Senator Orwoba for six months, potentially stripping her of significant privileges and personal benefits as a Senator. This suspension is set to last until February next year when she is required to issue an apology and be readmitted to the Senate.

The Powers and Privileges Committee, chaired by Senator Amason Kingi, played a pivotal role in this decision. 

The committee's report stated, "Senator Gloria Orwoba was given an opportunity to be heard by the Powers and Privileges Committee but the Senator declined to participate in the inquiry; therefore, the committee could not substantiate the claims she made."

While some Senators supported the decision to suspend Senator Orwoba, others raised concerns about potential gender bias in the matter. 

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, weighing in on the debate, said, "Let my fellow senators opposing this report keep out the gender issue in this matter since Senator Orwoba was given a chance to prove her allegations before the powers and privileges committee twice but she did not turn up."

The debate surrounding gender and punishment in this context is likely to persist, as Senator Orwoba's suspension highlights the complexities of such issues within the political landscape.

The suspension of Senator Gloria Orwoba continues to be a topic of intense scrutiny, provoking discussions about parliamentary decorum, allegations of misconduct, and the role of whistleblowers within the Kenyan Senate.