Gloria Orwoba has publicly criticized fellow nominated senator Karen Nyamu for failing to defend her when she faced disciplinary action over alleged party disloyalty. Orwoba was recently expelled by her party and replaced after being summoned by the disciplinary committee. Speaking in an interview with Obinna, she expressed disappointment that Nyamu, whom she had once defended, chose silence at a crucial moment.
How did Gloria Orwoba support Karen Nyamu in the past?
Orwoba recalled standing by Nyamu when she faced a similar disciplinary process after being recorded in a heated altercation with Samidoh’s wife, Edday Nderitu, in Dubai. At the time, Nyamu apologized, blamed alcohol, and promised to stop drinking. The controversy, however, drew further scrutiny of her relationship with musician Samidoh, even prompting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to intervene.
Despite not being friends, Orwoba explained why she defended Nyamu. “It does not matter who my enemy is. When it comes to women, I will always speak up. Do you know when Karen Nyamu was being removed, because of her shenanigans with Samidoh, and they brought forward disciplinary action like mine, I spoke up for that woman. And not because we were friends, we were not friends. We do not even like each other. But I was like, I have seen you guys, when you are done with Nyamu, someone will come with my private photos, and you will remove me. If you make it easy,” she said.
Why does Orwoba feel let down?
According to Orwoba, she even reached out to Cecile Mbarire at the time to ask her to stop fighting Nyamu, arguing that Nyamu’s personal life had nothing to do with her parliamentary work. “I spoke up for her. Now I see quiet on the corner. It is the silence of the people who should speak up. If you cannot speak up, appreciate the one or two have come out to speak up,” she added.
What has been the public reaction?
Reactions on social media have been mixed. Some users sympathized with Orwoba, while others criticized her choices. @muthonikabuga remarked, “Manze, si you limit your expectations.” Another user, @marix.y98, wrote, “This is why we are always told to invest wisely. Invest in people who will be there when you need them.” Others were harsher, with @yelle_affordablethrifts saying, “Who told you to stand up for such behaviour. That is Karma.”
By Risper Akinyi
