Kenyan Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has brought serious allegations of sexual harassment within Parliament to light. She claims that female staff and even lawmakers face non-consensual advances and sexual coercion.
During a passionate press briefing, Orwoba said that Parliament has a hidden culture of sexual exploitation. Women are backed into corners and pressured into silence. “Sexual engagement that is non-consensual which translates to rape, and it is happening in Parliament,” she stated. “Women are being told to ‘turn around’ by those in power, and many feel too intimidated to resist or speak out.”
Orwoba, known for her fearless advocacy, shared that she has endured personal and political consequences for raising these issues. These include a six-month suspension, unpaid salary, multiple court cases, and rejection by her own party. She also mentioned threats to her life, saying people have warned her she will be “finished.”
Despite the pressure, Orwoba pledged to keep speaking out. “Many women are counting on me. I will keep my head up and keep speaking the truth,” she said. “The only way this ends is if they kill me—but I will not conform.”
She stressed the importance of dismantling the “sex for work” culture not only in Parliament but across all sectors. “If we are going to fight for women in the streets and in factories, we must start where we already are, parliament,” she declared.
Her strong message calls for urgency, reform, support and collective action.
