Leaders want Senator to lead reconciliatory talks between Orengo, his deputy

Siaya, Sunday, June 4, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango 

A group of former Members of County Assembly and councilors from Siaya have challenged area senator, Dr. Oburu Odinga to convene reconciliatory talks between Governor James Orengo and his deputy who have been at logger heads over alleged mismanagement of the county government. 

Led by former West Alego MCA, Peter Muhula and former Siaya Mayor, Agutu Ochiam, the leaders said it was high time Dr. Oburu Odinga and former Cabinet Minister, Peter Oloo Aringo and other prominent sons and daughters of the county create a forum to bring peace between the governor and his deputy, William Oduol. 

Addressing a press conference in Siaya town, the former civic leaders said they have been in consultation with other levels of leadership in Siaya, among them the business community and church leaders who feel that it was high time the two were made to sit down and iron their differences. 

They called for a mediation team, to be led by Senator Odinga and Aringo who, they added, were respected members of the society and had the capacity to bring the two to a negotiation table. 

The former civic leaders also lamented that the wrangles between the two was portraying Alego/Usonga constituency as a sub county that was undermining Governor Orengo’s administration just because deputy governor hails from the area. 

“We reiterate that our sub county supports Orengo and Oduol leadership to realize what they promised the citizens during their campaigns” said the leaders in a statement which was read by Muhula. 

They called on the Siaya county assembly, which formed a special committee to investigate allegations tabled before it in an impeachment motion by East Asembo MCA, Gordon Onguru to come up with a conciliatory decision that will bring peace and harmony. 

Meanwhile, Sufuria Revolution Movement has termed as embarrassing the ongoing wrangles between Orengo and his deputy. 

Speaking at Sagam in Gem constituency during the launch of Bunge la Mwananchi, Gem chapter, Sufuria revolution movement leader, Obungu Owich urged deputy governor William Oduol to go slow and respect his boss. 

Owich called on Oduol to resign if he feels that he cannot work with Governor Orengo. 

“If you feel that the kitchen is getting hotter, go home” said Owich. 

Orengo and his deputy have been at logger heads for the last three months, with Oduol accusing the governor of not doing enough to stop alleged corruption in his government. 

The misunderstanding drew the attention of the Siaya County Assembly which summoned Oduol to substantiate his claims and later dismissed the same. 

A motion of impeachment has since been tabled before the assembly, with a special committee which was formed to investigate the allegations against the deputy speaker set to table its report on Tuesday, June 6. 

Courtesy ; K. N. A