Siaya Deputy Governor Risks Impeachment Over Differences with Orengo

Siaya, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 

KNA By Philip Onyango

Siaya Deputy Governor, William Oduol risks impeachment over his differences with Governor James Orengo after the local County Assembly received a notice for the same today.

East Asembo ward member of the County Assembly, Godwin Onguru gave the notice immediately after the county assembly threw out corruption allegations that the Deputy Governor had raised against Orengo’s administration, terming them as unsubstantiated.

Tabling the report of the committee on general oversight that investigated allegations by Oduol, Usonga member of the county assembly, Sylvester Madialo accused the Deputy Governor of lying that he had been denied some of his entitlements such as security personnel and vehicles, adding that contrary to the claims, the Deputy Governor had all the entitlements as per the salaries and remuneration commission advisory, with staff appointed by the county public service board seconded to him and at his disposal.

“The Deputy Governor is entitled to one body guard and other security officers at his residence as stated in the policy on provision of protective security to state officers and other VIPs” read the report tabled before the assembly that was presided over by Speaker George Okode.

The report further accused the Deputy Governor over failure to recognize that he was subordinate to his boss, the Governor as per the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the county governments Act, 2012.

Being a member of the County Executive Committee, the Deputy Governor is accountable to the Governor in the exercise of his duties and responsibilities in the county government.

On allegations that Orengo administration was starving projects in Alego / Usonga of resources, the report said that contrary to the allegations, the Sub County was the most favoured, with significant amounts being channeled to the numerous projects.

The committee recommended that all the 14 complaints by Oduol be dismissed for lack of evidence.

The complaints ranged from alleged illegal transfer of funds into the county imprest account, irregular payments of imprest to officers, alleged payroll fraud, discriminatory budget, unfair disciplinary process and harassment of persons close to the Deputy Governor among others.

Immediately after the speaker, George Okode had called for the vote on the report which received unanimous support, the MCA for East Asembo, Mr. Onguru rose to give a notice of motion to impeach the Deputy Governor.

Onguru said that the assembly should impeach Oduol for gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and other laws and for abuse of office and gross misconduct.

Speaker Okode said that the notice had met the threshold pursuant to standing order number 71.

“Motion having been admitted, I will appoint a date upon which the motion shall be placed in the order paper, considered and disposed off” he ruled.

Earlier, Members of the county assembly who contributed to the motion accused the Deputy Governor of showing open bias against other constituencies, adding that he (Oduol) had forgotten that he was elected to serve the entire county and not just Alego / Usonga.

The war of words between Oduol and his boss has been dragging from March this year when he accused his Orengo of keeping quiet as an alleged syndicate was milking the devolved government dry through corruption.

The erstwhile buddies, who campaigned together under the “Nyalore” (It can be done) manifesto are no longer seeing eye to eye, with Oduol accusing his boss of locking him out of cabinet meetings.

Orengo, through his Director of communication, Benjamin Agina has denied the allegations, saying that contrary to the charade, his Deputy has been attending the meetings.

Two weeks ago, youths allied to the two engaged in a fist fight that disrupted the funeral of former Siaya County Public Service board chairman, Peter Achoch in the outskirts of town. 

Courtesy; K.N.A