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Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has defended nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba following her suspension from the Senate until February for gross misconduct.

Karua said some of the language used during the debate on Wednesday was paternalistic, especially to young female senators offering them guidance, an assumption that they need guidance as a specific group.

“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. The Senate has used a sledgehammer to kill a fly so to speak. Totally unacceptable,” said Karua.

Karua said that the matter requires in-depth examination so that society does not shut up victims of sexual harassment.

She said it was manifestly unfair and excessive punishment meted on Orwoba for reporting what she termed as “sexual harassment”, noting that the Senate is a male-dominated House.

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

On Wednesday evening, the Senators approved the Senate Powers and Privileges committee report chaired by speaker Amason King that barred Orwoba from the precincts of Parliament and its committees until February next year.

“Pursuant to section 17(3)(g) of the parliamentary powers and privileges Act, 2017, the senator be suspended from the House for the remainder of the second session of the 13th Parliament,” the committee said in a report.

Sexual favours

And before being allowed back in the senate at the end of her suspension, the Senator will be required to apologize before all the senators.

Orwoba was accused making unsubstantiated allegations of sexual harassment by some parliamentary officials.

“Senator Orwoba made unsubstantiated allegations that there were instances of pursuit of sexual favours in parliament by posting various messages on senate business WhatsApp,” a report by the committee tabled on the floor on Thursday states.