In a fiery defense of the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) decision to expel Senator Gloria Orwoba, Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei drew a sharp line between individual freedoms and party discipline, asserting that political loyalty cannot be sacrificed at the altar of personal liberty.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, May 22, 2025, Cherargei made it clear that Orwoba’s expulsion was not an infringement on her rights but rather a necessary step to preserve the party’s ideological unity and coherence.

“We must differentiate between freedom of association and loyalty to the party,” said Cherargei. “Orwoba might think she has the freedom to say or do anything, but when you join a political party, you sign up to a collective responsibility.”

The dramatic fallout underscores deeper ideological rifts in the UDA and signals a tightening grip by party hardliners as succession politics begin to cast a long shadow over the 2027 elections.

Senator Orwoba, known for her outspoken stance on women’s rights and controversial public appearances, was expelled earlier this week after months of tension with the party’s top brass. UDA’s National Disciplinary Committee cited gross misconduct and insubordination.

But Cherargei insists the decision was not personal. “This is not a witch-hunt. The party gave her multiple opportunities to align with our values. She chose the path of defiance.”

“The statement she made in Kisii during Matiangi’s homecoming and the statement she made on Friday appearing before the UDA Party Disciplinary Committee were made in bad faith. You do not promote the ideals of another party at the expense of your party.”

He further warned that tolerance for dissent within a party should not be mistaken for weakness. “In politics, loyalty is everything. If you can’t toe the line, you can’t expect to be part of the team. The party leader is President Ruto. She has to respect the party.”

Court battle

While Orwoba has challenged the expulsion in court and continues her legislative work as an independent, Cherargei says her political future now lies outside the party’s fold.

“Let her thrive where she feels most free, but UDA must remain disciplined, focused, and ideologically aligned,” he asserted.

“We must have good manners in this country. Political parties do not exist in a vacuum; the reason we have parties that are well organized is because they are funded from the national exchequer and have legal frameworks.”

Justice Lawrence Mugambi, sitting at the Milimani Law Courts, issued the conservatory order on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, after reviewing Orwoba’s Notice of Motion and supporting affidavit filed under a certificate of urgency on May 20.

At the same time, the court blocked her ouster as a senator pending the determination of her application.

“That pending hearing and determination of this application, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the implementation of the decision of the UDA Party Disciplinary Committee dated 16/05/2025 expelling the petitioner herein as a member of the UDA party and/or a nominated senator,” the judge directed.

This order means that the lawmaker remains a UDA member and retains her Senate seat for now, despite a gazette notice earlier in the day declaring her seat vacant.