Senators Hold William Oduol’s Fate: Ouster Papers Filed in Unprecedented Move
Saturday’s filing of an impeachment resolution against Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol augurs a showdown in the Senate.
Saturday, Senator Oburu Oginga of Siaya made a sensational claim. That senators from President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance were planning to defend the embattled deputy governor. This raises the likelihood that the conflict will take on a political dimension.
Dr. Oginga, who was accompanied by Governor James Orengo. As he spoke at a funeral in Bondo, Siaya County. Claimed that the majority side could save Mr. Oduol but cautioned that the move could diminish his political career.
Dr. Oginga, the elder brother of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga. Stated, “Let them go ahead and exonerate him, but he will never hold a political office in Kenya again.”
“This is a textbook example of giving a dog a bad reputation and then hanging it. They wish to label him as a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), even though he is an ODM life member with membership number 002638, according to our party register, a senior ODM member told Nation.
Already, some UDA senators have warned that they will not permit Siaya leaders to use the Senate to settle political scores.
ALSO READ: Resolve Internal Conflicts and Prioritize Service to Siaya: Oburu Urges Orengo and Deputy
According to reports, some Siaya leaders used the impeachment against Mr. Oduol to prevent him from running against Mr. Orengo in the upcoming election.
Local leaders in Siaya believe Mr. Oduol would be a formidable candidate if he ran for office.
On Thursday of last week, the Siaya MCAs served Senate Speaker Amason Kingi with a notice of resolution to impeach Mr. Oduol and remove him from office.
The law required Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode to notify Mr. Kingi of the MCAs’ resolution within two days. The time frame expired on Saturday.
Section 33(2)(a) of the County Governments Act requires the county assembly speaker to notify the Senate speaker of the resolution within two days.
Mr. Kingi is now anticipated to convey formally the receipt of
the resolution when the House reconvenes tomorrow.
Mr. Oduol is facing charges of flagrant violations of the Constitution and other laws, as well as abuse of office. During the hearings, Siaya County Director of Procurement Martin Okwata stated that he had no role in the matter. However, he was accused of bulldozing officers to renovate the office of the deputy governor for Sh18 million and procuring expensive chairs.
ALSO READ: Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol Unveils Startling Discovery of ‘Unprecedented’ Cash Withdrawals within Governor Orengo’s Office
After receiving a request from the department, we awarded the contract through an open bidding process. We advertised the bid through the website and portal,” Mr. Okwata explained.
Governance Chief Executive Officer Jared Abayo denied any allegations that he was coerced by the lieutenant governor in the performance of his duties.
The Senate is now responsible for deliberating the issue.
The communication from Mr. Kingi will initiate the formal process of an impeachment hearing for the deputy governor, which must be completed within 10 days.
During the session, the House will decide whether or not to proceed with the trial.
By the County Governments Act, the Senate has two options for trying Mr. Oduol: forming an 11-person special committee or proceeding in plenary.
The law requires that only 47 of the Senate’s 67 elected members vote. There could also be voting by delegation based on each senator’s place of residence.
Mr. Oduol will require 24 votes to avoid impeachment; if he fails to do so, he will be the first deputy governor in the history of devolution to be removed from office via impeachment.
Senators Hold William Oduol’s Fate: Ouster Papers Filed in Unprecedented Move
HEY READER. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS SITE BY CLICKING ADS. DON’T FORGET TO HIT THE NOTIFICATION BELL FOR MORE UPDATES AROUND THE GLOBE.