Politics

Siaya Deputy Governor Seeks Reconciliation with Governor after Surviving Impeachment

Published

1 year ago

June 27, 2023

Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol has expressed his intention to seek the assistance of elders and churches in reconciling with his boss, Governor James Orengo.

This comes after he successfully survived impeachment on Monday, as the majority of Senators voted against the motion to remove him from office.

Twenty-seven Senators opposed the two grounds presented by the Senate Special Committee, which had investigated Oduol’s impeachment by the Siaya County Assembly and found them to be proven and substantiated.

The initial move to remove Deputy Governor Oduol stemmed from a dispute between him and Governor Orengo, which had upset many Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and other leaders.

Following the triumph, Deputy Governor Oduol pledged to serve the residents of Siaya with dignity and work harmoniously with Governor Orengo. In his statement, he expressed gratitude to God for the victory and extended his appreciation to the Senate for their fair and impartial deliberations. He reassured the people of Siaya that their well-being remained their primary focus.

“I am eagerly anticipating returning to Siaya and collaborating with Governor James Orengo to deliver effective and efficient service to the people of Siaya County. I intend to utilize the wisdom of the elders and the support of the churches to help bridge the divide,” Oduol stated.

The investigation into Oduol was initiated due to allegations linking him to gross violations of the constitution, misuse of public resources, and other legal infringements.

The MCAs who were pushing for his removal argued that the Deputy Governor not only mistreated county employees but also attempted to influence the selection of contractors for payment.

Who wanted Siaya Deputy Governor Oduol’s Head?

Through his lawyer Moses Chelanga, Odul urged senators on Monday to reject the impeachment charges against him, asserting that they do not meet the threshold for removal from office.

During his final appeal, the Siaya Deputy Governor disputed the committee report’s findings, which had deemed him guilty of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.

He specifically mentioned the charge related to a chair worth 1.12 million shillings, stating that it had not been substantiated.

Chelanga raised concerns about the integrity of the committee’s reports. While the panel cleared the deputy governor of allegations of pressuring county officers to renovate his office, they found him responsible for interfering with procurement.

The lawyers argued that Oduol is being targeted for political reasons and urged the lawmakers to save him from impeachment.

“We are aware of those who want William Oduol’s head on a platter. This house should vote against the impeachment of Deputy Governor William Oduol,” Chelanga emphasized.

He added, “We should not sacrifice our Constitution for political expediency.”

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