Deputy governor’s grilling session postponed for failure to provide documentation on time

Siaya, Thursday April 13, 2023 

K.N.A   By Philip Onyango 

A grilling session whereby Siaya deputy governor, William Oduol was to substantiate his recent remarks against the management of the local county government was postponed on Wednesday afternoon after the county assembly ruled that he had not submitted his evidence to the House. 

Following the development, Siaya county assembly, led by speaker George Okode gave the deputy governor two days to submit his documentary evidence to the Assembly through the office of the assembly clerk to enable members to scrutinize them. 

Oduol who donned a black suit and a white shirt, had been invited by the assembly to substantiate allegations he had made in social media platforms, throwing barbs at the top county government leadership. 

The motion to summon him was moved by the Yimbo East member of the county assembly, Francis Otiato who sought leave of the house to have the deputy governor summoned to shed light on his allegations. 

But, as Oduol who was in the company of his lawyer stood to address the house, deputy speaker, Oduor Odongo stood on a point of order, requesting for the copies of the document the DG was reading to enable them follow up the proceedings with ease. 

It was at this point that the speaker enquired whether Oduol had submitted the documents to the house as required to which the deputy speaker answered to the negative. 

Oduol said that as a certified public accountant, he was afraid of leaving the documents in unsafe hands as they could be used to seal corruption evidence. 

His remarks did not go down well with members of the house, including the speaker who warned that the assembly was guided by rules and regulations that must be adhered to. 

“According to the regulations, an officer must submit any material he intends to discuss in advance to enable members go through it,” said speaker Okode. 

The speaker’s remarks were supported by East Asembo MCA, Gordon Onguru who said that the assembly must have the evidence in advance to enable scrutiny adding that otherwise, it will be turned into a rumour mongering chamber. 

He said that Oduol was at liberty to adhere to the procedures to enable the assembly reach a fair conclusion. 

The deputy governor has of late been at logger heads with his boss, governor James Orengo over alleged mismanagement. 

He has been accusing a syndicate in Orengo’s office of targeting top officials from Alego / Usonga constituency for removal from office and interfering with implementation of projects in the vast constituency. 

The deputy governor has also been claiming that he has been sidelined from the day to day activities at the county government and has been reduced to just reading newspapers and taking tea in the office while his security detail and chase car have been withdrawn. 

Orengo has, however, restrained from responding to his deputy’s accusations. 

Courtesy K.N.A