Senate Saves William Oduol From Impeachment As Siaya Deputy Governor

The Senate on Monday, June 26 failed to uphold the impeachment of Siaya Deputy Governor, William Oduol, after a motion against him as well as a committee report that recommended his removal from office was rejected by Senators.

In a voting exercise carried out during a special sitting to consider a report of the special Ad Hoc Committee, most of the Senators observed that the alleged offences did not warrant the impeachment of the deputy governor.

On the proposed removal from office by impeachment, the committee arrived at two charges of gross violation of the Constitution and misleading the public.

It dismissed two counts of misappropriation of funds and abuse of his office as Deputy Governor of Siaya County.

"The net effect of this vote is done pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution. It is important to state that the Senate has failed to remove from office by impeachment William Oduol, the Deputy Governor of Siaya County and that the Deputy Governor accordingly continues to hold office," Speaker Amason Kingi announced.

How Senators Voted on William Oduol's Charges

a) Gross Violation of the Constitution and other Laws in respect of interference with the procurement process through acts of bid-rigging (Yes-16; No-27; Abstain-0)

b) Abuse of Office and Gross Misconduct in respect of misleading the public (Yes-16; No-27; Abstain-0)

36 lawmakers were present in the chambers while 3 voted virtually. The 16 Senators, majorly from the Azimio side, voted to remove Oduol from office.

The 11-member Senate Special Committee that was probing the impeachment of Oduol recommended his removal from office on allegations of gross violation of the Constitution and abuse of office.

The members included Senators William Kisang of Elgeyo Marakwet County (Chairperson), Betty Batuli Montet (Vice Chairperson), Abass Mohamed of Wajir County, Mwenda Gataya Mo Fire of Tharaka Nithi County.

Other members of the special committee included Tabitha Mutinda, Raphael Chimera Mwinzagu, Miraj Abdullahi Abdulrahman, Nyamira County Senator Erick Okong’o Omogeni, Catherine Mumma, Daniel Maanzo of Makueni County and Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka.

"The committee notes that the Deputy Governor admitted to have interfered with the procurement process in Siaya County," committee chairman Senators William Kisang of Elgeyo Marakwet County stated.

The special committee found that the charge against the Deputy Governor on Gross Violation of the Constitution and other Laws, on the allegation of Interference with the Procurement Process through Acts of Bid- Rigging was substantiated.

The deputy governor was also found culpable on the charge of Abuse of Office and Gross Misconduct on the allegation of Misleading the Public by Giving False Information.

In the Senate plenary, Azimio la Umoja Coalition MPs had seemingly sided with the Siaya County Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) while those of Kenya Kwanza dismissed the allegations.

The County Assembly and the Deputy Governor of Siaya County submitted their evidence on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 respectively.

All 42 MCAs voted to remove the deputy county boss from office by way of impeachment after they unanimously adopted the report of the special committee that was established to investigate the grounds for which a motion of impeachment was tabled against him on June 29, 2023.

The impeachment motion was moved by East Asembo Ward MCA Gordon Onguru who accused the Deputy Governor of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office and misuse of public resources among other claims.

The special committee, in a report tabled on the floor of the House by its Chairman and Yimbo East Ward MCA Francis Otiato, revealed that the claims were found to be substantiated, thus warranting his impeachment.

While deliberating the report, the Siaya MCAs supported Oduol’s removal accusing him of being a dishonest leader who was only out to advance his selfish gains.

They also cited irreparable differences between Oduol and his boss, Governor James Orengo to the point that they cannot continue working together, hence the need for him to be ousted to give the county chief breathing space to embark on effective service delivery.

Some of them also accused the Deputy Governor of character assassination, adding that he had not only tainted the image of Governor Orengo but also those of the MCAs that he accused of having been compromised.

Siaya governor James Orengo and his deputy William Oduol embrace each other moments after they were sworn in after the August polls in 2022. /THE STAR