Karua condemns Senator Orwoba’s ‘unfair and excessive’ suspension over sexual harassment claims

Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua on Thursday condemned the six-month suspension of Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from the Senate and Parliament. 

Orwoba was suspended following the adoption of a report by the Senate's Powers and Privileges Committee proposing the move after she failed to appear before it to defend herself against charges levelled against her.

Among them were making unsubstantiated allegations that there were instances of pursuit of sexual favours in parliament by posting messages on the Senate business WhatsApp group.

In a series of posts on X, Karua termed Orwoba’s suspension “manifestly unfair and excessive” and described it as an attempt by the Senate to silence women who come forth to report cases of sexual assault.

“The Senate, which is male-dominated, is telling women including women senators dare you complain of sexual harassment you shall exterminate you. A dismissal of the charges would have sufficed if at all the evidence fell short. This is patriarchy silencing women on matters of sexual harassment,” Karua wrote.

Men make up 69.7 per cent of the legislators in the current Senate.

Karua called on rights bodies such as the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Kenya Human Rights Commission to probe the matter.

“This requires scrutiny. This matter requires in-depth examination lest we forever shut up victims of sexual harassment @Senate_KE @NAssemblyKE @parliamentkenya which is said to be on the rise,” said the Narc Kenya leader.

She similarly took an issue with the language used on Wednesday when the report was tabled for debate with the House, in a majority vote, upholding the decision to suspend Orwoba. 

“The Senate has used a sledgehammer to kill a fly so to speak. Some of the language used during the debate was paternalistic, especially to young female senators offering them guidance, an assumption that they need guidance as a specific group. Totally unacceptable,” said Karua.

“Whereas we ought to be careful not to punish the innocent, similarly, we must be even more careful not to discourage reporting of sexual abuse or harassment.”

Orwoba was also accused of making allegations of favouritism and discrimination on the Senate WhatsApp group and during a press conference, as well as unsubstantiated reports of corruption in the Senate.

She was summoned to the Powers and Privileges Committee, but according to the report she failed to appear and defend herself.

The first-time legislator is also facing accusations of disrespecting fellow senators by publishing information that was disrespectful to her colleagues.

In addition to accessing the Parliament building, Orwoba will also be barred from the use or enjoyment of any specific facility provided to members for the period that she will be suspended.

The senator will be required to apologise before all the senators at the bar before being allowed back in the Senate after the suspension lapses.