William Oduol’s Senate Battle Intensifies: ‘Secret Evidence’ to Be Presented for Survival
William Oduol, the embattled vice-governor of Siaya, says he has a trump card that he hopes will help him overturn a motion of censure after his sweeping ouster by the county assembly.
According to the deputy county chief, he intends to present the Senate with new evidence that will seal his fate.
“There are additional pieces of evidence I will present to the Senate. They will expose the blatant corruption in Governor James Orengo’s administration, Mr. Oduol said in a previous interview.
When he was first impeached, the majority of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance-aligned senators hinted that they would support him. The deputy governor is eager to woo these senators.
Last month, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei expressed concern over the situation in Siaya, where the vice governor was facing removal due to his stance against corruption in the executive branch.
“We have observed that he is the target of a witch hunt for exposing corruption, but no one can be impeached for doing so.” He merits a commendation from the head of state, and we should honor him for exposing corruption in the country,” Mr. Cherargei stated in an interview.
The same sentiment was echoed by the majority whip of the Senate, Boni Khalwale, who pledged to conduct thorough research when the matter reaches the Senate.
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However, Mr. Oduol’s political career in Siaya County, where the ODM party enjoys political dominance, will suffer as a result of the Kenya Kwanza battalion’s rescue.
If the Kenya Kwanza senators use their numerical advantage to overturn the decision of the Siaya County Assembly, the UDA mole label will tarnish his career in a region considered Raila Odinga’s political base as leader of the ODM.
The deputy governor may also negotiate a political truce with the ODM party leadership. Several Siaya leaders have also asked Siaya senator Oburu Oginga and former Alego Usonga lawmaker Oloo Aringo to mediate peace between Mr. Orengo and his deputy in their capacity as elders.
“It is not at all healthy. Former West Alego MCA Peter Muhula stated, “We are making a public spectacle of our county, and we are calling on our elders, Dr. Oburu and Mr. Aringo, to help us bring our sons together.”
Mr. Oduol made his political debut in 2013 when he ran against former governor Cornell Rasanga for the position of governor. He successfully challenged the outcome in court, resulting in a new election that he ultimately lost.
The grounds for Mr. Oduol’s impeachment were a gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, abuse of office and gross misconduct, and providing false information to the public.
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Based on a violation of the Constitution, the Special Committee determined that Mr. Oduol interfered with the procurement of contractors for various road projects in the county, as well as the supply and delivery of certified seed and fertilizer, contrary to Section 47(1) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, which states, “A procurement function shall be handled by procurement professionals whose qualifications are recognized in Kenya.”
The committee, chaired by Yimbo East MCA Francis Otieno, also determined that Mr. Oduol coerced the head of the County Procurement Unit to give him an unsigned evaluation report for a tender on the supply and delivery of certified seeds and fertilizer, despite being warned of the dangers of exposing such documents for a procurement process that had not yet resulted in the final selection and award of the tender.
On the other hand, the deputy county administrator was found liable for unjustifiably relying on the authority of the Deputy Governor’s office to coerce the alteration of certain specifications in 86 tender documents for county road constructions.
William Oduol’s Senate Battle Intensifies: ‘Secret Evidence’ to Be Presented for Survival
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