Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has said she will appeal a court ruling that ordered her to pay Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye Sh10.5 million in damages for defamation after the court found that her allegations of sexual harassment were unproven and based on a video she recorded while abroad.
In a video recorded on July 15, Orwoba said the case stemmed from a video she shared in response to discussions in Parliament, which she claims were held in her absence.
She accused Nyegenye of using the video in court without any investigation into her claims, and additionally, she claimed that she had made her formal complaints to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, and the Parliamentary Service Commission were ignored.
“My claims are still on the table. I wrote an official letter to the Chair of the Parliamentary Service Commission. They ignored it. I also complained in the Senate WhatsApp group and to the Speaker. No one acted,” she said.
Gloria Orwoba links her suspension with a refusal of sexual advances
Orwoba linked her suspension from Senate activities and delays in the progress of her legislative agenda to her refusal to give in to sexual advances.
“I think because I said I’m not going to sleep with this guy and I don’t want to participate in his sexual advances, that is why I’m being removed from trips, and my bills are being delayed,” she said.
She added that she was forced to apologise under pressure, and the apology was later used in court against her. Gloria Orwoba questioned why no investigation had been launched into her allegations.
She further claimed that the ruling was politically motivated and linked to the ruling UDA party. She accused the party of using its influence to protect certain officials in Parliament.
Also Read: Salary, Allowances, Hefty Perks Gloria Orwoba Stands to Lose
“The UDA machinery is supporting people like Jeremiah Nyegenye to continue with these things they are doing in Parliament,” she said.
Despite the court’s decision, she maintained her stand and expressed confidence in the judicial system. She called on the public to demand transparency, especially regarding Senate travel reports.
Court demands Orwoba to pay 10.5 M
Gloria Orwoba concluded that she is determined to challenge the judgment and will continue to speak against misconduct within Parliament.
This comes after Orwoba was ordered to pay Ksh 10.5 million in damages to Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye after the Milimani Commercial Court found she defamed him through a series of malicious social media posts accusing him of sexual harassment.
While delivering judgment on Monday, July 14, Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho declared that Orwoba’s statements, published on her WhatsApp status, Facebook page, and X, were false, defamatory, libellous, and malicious.
Also Read: Gloria Orwoba Ordered To Pay Senate Clerk Ksh 10.5M Over Defamation
Further, the court found that the posts, which accused Nyegenye of sexual harassment, were not protected by parliamentary privilege and were made with ill intent.
“The words posted and published by the Defendant concerning the Plaintiff are defamatory, libellous, and malicious,” the magistrate ruled.
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