Governor Orengo Revamps Siaya County Executive, Ousts Finance CEC in Major Shake-Up
Siaya County Governor James Orengo has overhauled his Executive Committee by removing Benedict Abonyo Omollo from the role of Finance and Economic Planning CEC, a position he held since 2022.
Through a gazette notice dated October 22, Orengo announced the interim appointment of George Odhiambo Nying’iro to fill the position.
“Under the authority granted by section 31 (ba) of the County Governments Act, I, James Orengo, Governor of Siaya County, assign George Odhiambo Nying’iro to the role of County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning in an acting capacity,” the notice stated.
“The previous appointment of Benedict Abonyo Omollo via Gazette Notice No. 15365 of 2022 is hereby rescinded.”
Governor Orengo further restructured his public finance management team, introducing a four-member audit committee. Benard Ouma Siero was named chairperson, with Jennifer Ayoo Ogola as secretary, and Anton Ochola Ajwang and Francis Oyulo Ochung as members, each appointed for a three-year term.
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Omollo’s initial appointment, made via a December 9, 2022, gazette notice, saw him serve nearly two years before his termination by Orengo.
This is not Omollo’s first dismissal from a financial role. In 2015, he served as the Judiciary’s finance director but was removed after allegedly highlighting untaxed allowances for some commissioners.
In a legal suit against the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC), Omollo claimed his dismissal was discriminatory, based on his ethnic background. He recounted that after raising concerns over the untaxed allowances, a commissioner threatened job losses, citing an excess of employees from his tribe.
Omollo’s troubles continued when he faced charges over a Ksh80 million loss from the Judiciary, accusations he argued were fabricated. These charges were eventually dismissed.
In 2023, Omollo successfully regained his position along with Ksh11 million in compensation, which included Ksh2 million in damages and Ksh9 million in back pay from his suspension.
In the judgment, Justice Mbaru stated, “The respondent has not justified such actions. The court determines that the claimant faced unlawful treatment and discrimination based on his ethnicity, entitling him to general damages.”
Governor Orengo Revamps Siaya County Executive, Ousts Finance CEC in Major Shake-Up
