William Oduol survives impeachment

By Peter Ochieng

Embattled Siaya Deputy Governor (DG) William Oduol will "sleep like a baby tonight."

Oduol has Kenya Kwanza Alliance senators to thank, after they overwhelmingly voted against a report of the Senate ad-hoc committee that had rubber stamped his ouster from office.

He was elected barely a year ago, alongside Siaya Governor James Orengo.

In what turned out to be a political contest, 27 Kenya Kwanza senators voted to save Oduol from impeachment, against 16 Azimio senators who voted in favour of the ad-hoc committee's report.

The 11-member committee was chaired by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang.

Kisang's panel found him guilty of gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office and gross misconduct; which were the main reasons given by the Siaya Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) before his impeachment in May.

After the vote, Senate Speaker Amason Jeffa Kingi said Oduol will continue discharging his duties as Siaya DG.

“The net effect of this vote is that the Senate has failed to remove from office by impeachment Hon William Oduol, the Deputy Governor of Siaya and that the DG continues to hold office."

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand," Oduol wrote in a statement after the vote.

The DG started courting trouble early this year, when he accused Orengo of misappropriation of public funds.

Orengo and Oduol, reportedly, do not see eye to eye.

Before the Senate vote, the DG said he would seek truce with his boss if the impeachment process failed.