Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba and Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara have come out strongly to address growing concerns within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), criticising the party’s failure to fulfill key promises particularly those aimed at empowering women.
Senator Orwoba accused UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire of allegedly targeting her after she questioned the slow implementation of the women’s charter. She said Mbarire had remained silent throughout important issues, only speaking out when she raised concerns about unmet commitments such as the provision of sanitary towels and the fulfillment of women’s programs.
“I joined UDA because I believed in its vision and because a woman chaired the party,” Orwoba said in an exclusive interview with TV47 on Sunday, May 4. “But I’ve been disappointed by the silence of our female leaders when real issues affecting women are being ignored. Suddenly I’m being called ‘rogue’ for speaking out.”
Orwoba questioned whether the backlash against her stemmed from her ethnicity, her gender, or her courage to speak up. She noted that male leaders from regions like Rift Valley and Kirinyaga have voiced concerns without facing similar criticism.
MP Jane Kihara backed Orwoba, stating that women were promised 50% of leadership roles and the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule within a year of UDA taking power, none of which has happened. She noted that despite advocating for the women’s charter across all counties, no tangible progress has been made.
Orwoba added that her loyalty to the party’s founding ideals remains intact, but the party itself has veered off course. She also expressed skepticism about the opposition’s ability to unite, pointing to the personal ambitions of leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, and Rigathi Gachagua.
Alleged fake job scam
In a sharp rebuke, Orwoba called out Labour CS Alfred Mutua for allegedly engaging in a scam involving fake job exports, accusing him of misleading Kenyan youth for public relations gains.
Both leaders insisted that the time has come to prioritize service delivery and stop sidelining women under the guise of political loyalty.
