William Oduol: Woes Pile For Siaya Deputy Governor After ODM Ouster
A special committee of the House was constituted comprising 14 members...
Marvin Chege 
The Siaya County Assembly on Monday, May 29 approved the impeachment motion against Deputy Governor William Oduol.
This is after 38 out of 42 Members of the County Assembly voted in support of the motion tabled by East Asembo Ward MCA Gordon Onguru.
A special committee of the House was constituted comprising 14 members who will investigate the grounds for impeachment of the DG and present its report in 10 days.
Speaker George Okode directed the committee to ensure the involvement of members of the public in the process and ensure the administration of a fair hearing and ensure that the second-in-command in the county is given a right to reply.
Siaya governor James Orengo and his deputy William Oduol embrace with each other moments after they were sworn in after the August polls in 2022. /THE STAR
Members of the Siaya County Assembly will vote to either impeach or reject the motion after receiving a statement from the 14-member committee.
Once voted upon by the majority of the Siaya County Assembly, the matter will move to the Senate where Senators will adjudicate and finally pass a vote. However, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei opposed Oduol's impeachment and vowed to dismiss it should the matter reach the Senate.
"The impeachment proceedings and removal from ODM party of Siaya Deputy Governor Oduol by Tinga (Raila) is sickening and nauseating for exposing corruption in Siaya County government.
"As a Senate, we shall NOT impeach DG Oduol nor confirm impeachment proceedings from Siaya county assembly against him. This once again has confirmed Tinga (Raila) as the Lord of corruption, poverty and impunity!" he tweeted.
Siaya Governor James Orengo will in the meantime have to look for a Deputy Governor to succeed Oduol, potentially marking the first time in President William Ruto's government that a DG is impeached.
Oduol was expelled from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Sunday, May 28, with ODM's Siaya coordinating committee moved to expel the deputy governor amidst his row with Orengo.
“This meeting has unanimously resolved that the Siaya County Deputy Governor be compelled to resign from his position since he no longer subscribes to the ideals and aspirations of the party. The meeting has resolved that he be expelled and is hereby expelled,” Siaya’s Organising Secretary Walter Okello stated in part.
Oduol on Friday, May 26, claimed that he was being tormented politically for allegedly rejecting corruption deals in which over Ksh100 million had irregularly been withdrawn on imprest.
"In one day, one junior staff is sent to the bank six to eight times, withdrawing Ksh950,000 each time. This is to circumvent the CBK requirement of going with documents when withdrawing Ksh1 million," he had alleged during a media interview.
What It Takes To Impeach A Deputy Governor
According to Article 181 of the Constitution of Kenya:
1. A member of the County Assembly may, supported by at least a third of all the members, move a motion for the removal of the deputy governor.
2. The motion must be debated and voted on by the County Assembly. A two-thirds majority vote is required to remove the deputy governor from office.
3. If the motion is successful, the Deputy Governor is suspended from office and a special committee is appointed to investigate the allegations against him or her.
4. The special committee must submit its report to the county assembly within 90 days.
5. The County Assembly then votes on whether to remove the governor from office. A two-thirds majority vote is required to remove the governor from office.
6. If the Deputy Governor is removed from office, the Governor will be allowed to appoint a new Deputy.
