Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has thrown her weight behind ousted Senator Gloria Orwoba, condemning the humiliation she endured during a standoff at the Senate.

In a statement posted on her X account on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Passaris expressed empathy over the ordeal, saying no leader deserved the treatment meted out to her colleague.

“My prayers are with Senator Gloria Orwoba as she navigates this difficult storm. No leader deserves the stress and humiliation I saw her go through yesterday. We may have had our differences, but that is immaterial. Today, as a colleague, a mother, and a woman in leadership, I stand with her in prayer,” she wrote.

Orwoba’s tribulations began when she was denied entry into the Senate chambers despite citing a court order reinstating her position. Her protests saw her use her vehicle to block the Senate gate, prompting police to tow it away.

She was later manhandled by three female officers in an incident captured on video and widely shared online. Efforts by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale to intervene bore no fruit.

Politicians rally behind Orwoba

Passaris’ show of solidarity comes as other leaders voiced concern over the treatment of the embattled senator. Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda faulted the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for what she termed selective enforcement of political discipline. She argued that past lawmakers had openly defied their sponsoring parties but served their terms undisturbed.

Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae also praised Orwoba’s resilience, saying the drama had boosted her popularity. “Keep on keeping on. This episode has propelled her to greater heights. The whole of Kisii County is in jubilation. They have their female warrior,” she said.

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya echoed the criticism, accusing the Senate leadership of ignoring court orders even as the country marked 15 years of devolution at KICC. “As they are in KICC celebrating the constitution, someone is not honouring court orders. This is absurd. Gloria Orwoba deserves better,” he said.

Defiant amid drama

In a statement, she vowed to keep fighting, accusing the Speaker’s office and the Clerk of orchestrating her ordeal. “This is not about a salary or a position, trust me. By the time this fight comes to an end, the outright corruption and impunity will be laid bare for everyone to see,” she declared.

The standoff has reignited debate on gender bias, political accountability, and the rule of law. As her legal battle unfolds, Orwoba’s supporters view her as a symbol of resistance, while her critics accuse her of disrupting legislative order.