Gloria Orwoba regrets impeaching Gachagua
Days after her expulsion from the United Democratic Alliance, former Senator Gloria Orwoba has expressed regret over her decision to support the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in October 2024.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, May 22, 2025, Orwoba revealed that her decision was largely influenced by the “Usiguze Mlima” slogan, which she now admits to having misinterpreted.
During the impeachment process, Orwoba said she was among those who questioned the movers of the motion for failing to substantiate the eleven counts against Gachagua.
“When I was impeaching, I was one of the guys saying you bring 11 counts, yet you can’t substantiate any of it, even 9. It is in my speech during the impeachment,” she noted.
According to her, the only count that appeared to be substantiated was that Gachagua had a movement from his community that was viewed as divisive.
“The only thing that could be substantiated was that Rigathi Gachagua had a movement coming from his community that was misinterpreted by Kenyans, and the Usiguze Mlima movement – I was one of the people who misinterpreted it,” she admitted.
She added that this movement instilled fear and divisiveness that then portrayed Gachagua as a tribal leader, which pushed her to vote for his removal based on that one count, a decision she now regrets.
Orwoba further acknowledged that, despite the initial perception, Gachagua has evolved into a unifying figure.
“The same Rigathi Gachagua, despite starting off at a point of what was perceived as divisive politics, has actually become the person who has united Kenyans,” she stated.
When asked whether she plans to join Gachagua politically, Orwoba remained noncommittal, only saying that she will join a movement that has Kenyan interests at heart.
“I will join a movement that has the interests of Kenyans at heart and that of women,” Orwoba concluded.
Gloria Orwoba’s current woes
Gloria Orwoba’s change of stance comes a few days after his expulsion from UDA on May 19, 2025, following a decision by the party’s disciplinary committee, which was ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The expulsion was based on allegations of disloyalty and breaches of the party’s Code of Conduct, primarily due to her association with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who is eyeing the 2027 presidential seat and is also an opposition figure.
Specific instances cited include her presence at Matiang’i’s welcoming at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on April 17, 2025, and his homecoming event at Gusii Stadium, as well as her criticism of President William Ruto’s labour mobility programme.
