Nominated Senator Consolata Wakwabubi has been sworn in after her nomination by the ruling UDA party.

Wakwabubi took the oath of office on Wednesday, following her gazettement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba’s replacement in the women’s special seat on August 15.

“I Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi, having been elected a member of the Senate, do swear in the name of the Almighty God, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the people and the Republic of Kenya, that I will obey, respect, uphold, preserve, protect and defend this Constitution of the Republic of Kenya, and that I will faithfully and conscientiousness discharge the duties of a Member of Parliament. So help me, God,” she said.

The ceremony was presided over by Speaker Amason Kingi.

Orwoba was expelled from the party and her name removed from the party register, a move that automatically led to her losing the seat.

Wakwabubi, is a party nominee from Bungoma County.

Her expulsion was specifically linked to her participation in the homecoming events for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i, a key opposition figure and 2027 presidential hopeful.

UDA viewed her involvement in the events, along with her public criticism of government policies, as acts of disloyalty and a breach of party ideals.

On May 19, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar announced that the party’s Disciplinary Committee had resolved to oust Orwoba after exhaustively deliberating on the matter.

Omar noted that the decision was made in line with Article 29 of the UDA Constitution and was later ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

“Senator Gloria Orwoba ceases to be a member of the UDA Party. Consequently, she no longer enjoys any privileges accorded to party members, nor is she authorized to represent or act on behalf of the party in any capacity,” he said.

A day later, the Senate Speaker, Amason Jeffah Kingi, officially declared her seat vacant.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that pursuant to Article 101(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, a seat of the Member of the Senate elected under Article 98(1)(b) of the Constitution, held by Senator Gloria Orwoba, has become vacant with effect from the 21st May, 2025,” the notice reads.