Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba was forced to leave the Senate chamber after refusing to read a prepared apology as required for her reinstatement following a recent suspension.
Orwoba, who had been out of the Senate for weeks, was expected to read the apology in its entirety without omissions or alterations.
However, during the session on Tuesday, March 18, she selectively read parts of the statement, prompting Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to intervene.
"There are only two ways; you either read as prescribed, walk in and take your seat or you don't read as prescribed and you walk out until such a time that you'll be ready to read the oath as prescribed. Which way do you want to go?" He posed.
In response, Orwoba defended her position, arguing that the apology contained incriminating statements on a matter that had not been investigated.
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"Mr. Speaker, having heard your advice, and noting that by reading this apology I will be incriminating myself, noting that this is attached to my work, I find this very unfair.
"Where you have left me, I have no option but to walk away from my duties because I cannot read an incriminating statement on a matter that has not been investigated," she stated.
Orwoba further emphasized her stance, asserting that she stood by her previous statements and that it was unjust to demand an admission of guilt in an unresolved matter.
"As it stands I want to say that this being the last statement that I make, I continue to stand by my statements and I want to see that it is truly unfair that an incriminating statement is being put in an apology so that I can tie myself to something that has not been investigated," she added.
Orwoba was on Wednesday, February 12, ordered to commence her suspension from the House.
Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi said the nominated Senator will be suspended for 79 days and will be allowed back to the chambers on May 1, 2025.
“Taking note of the judgment delivered on the court on 15th August 2024, and the orders there in Senator Gloria Orwoba shall now forthwith commence her suspension following resolution of the Senate of 20th September 2023 and the report of the powers and privileges committee on her conduct.
“The 79 Callender days that were to be applied in the year 2023 will therefore run from today Wednesday, February 12, 2025, to Thursday, May 1, 2025,” said Murungi.
The suspension was later reduced to 30 days.
