By Peter Halima
NAIROBI, Kenya – A seemingly playful moment between President William Ruto and then-nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, captured in a viral clip from June 2024, has been re-framed by Orwoba as a disciplinary action stemming from a prior disagreement. Orwoba’s revelation, made a year after the incident, comes amidst her shifting political allegiance and ongoing legal challenges.
The incident, which occurred on June 26, 2024, at a lively press conference, initially garnered mixed reactions, with many viewing the President’s gesture as a lighthearted interaction. However, Orwoba, who has since transitioned from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party to openly opposing the government, offered a different perspective during an interview on the Iko Nini Podcast.
According to Orwoba, the “pinch” was President Ruto’s way of reprimanding her for being critical of his allies during Senate discussions. She specifically cited forthright questioning of Kimani Kuria, who was tasked with overseeing Ruto’s controversial tax plan, for not sharing relevant information with the group.
Recounting the exchange, Orwoba stated: “He (Ruto) turned to me and said, ‘Eeh, you are here.’ He was furious that I had insulted his ally in the WhatsApp group. Then he pinched me and told me, ‘You’re being too tough on people in the WhatsApp group. What is this?’ Then I told him why Kimani Kuria is not giving out information. Then he (Ruto) told me to stop being tough on people. I told him to do his job and let us do our job and other MPs laughed. It was brief exchange. He then realized that I had not responded positively, and he turned back and pinched me again.”
Orwoba’s political journey has taken a challenging turn since the incident. While she was an active UDA member at the time of the pinch, she now publicly socializes and strategizes with opposition leaders, including Rigathi Gachagua and Fred Matiang’i. This shift preceded her expulsion from the UDA in May 2025 on allegations of disloyalty and promoting opposing agendas, which she vehemently contests. A recent court ruling, however, temporarily halted her expulsion, allowing her to retain her Senate seat.
In a separate legal battle, on July 15, 2025, the Milimani Commercial Court ruled against Orwoba in a defamation case, ordering her to pay KSh 10.5 million. The ruling stemmed from unsubstantiated allegations of sexual harassment she made against Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye. Orwoba has vowed to appeal this decision, maintaining her accusations and calling for increased transparency and integrity within Senate operations.
