Senate selects 11-member committee to probe Siaya DG William Oduol’s impeachment

The Senate has settled on a special 11-member committee to investigate the impeachment of embattled Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol.

This comes after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi acknowledged receiving a letter from his Siaya County Assembly counterpart George Okode dated June 10, 2023 communicating the House’s resolution to remove Mr. Oduol from his seat.

The 11 Senators hence selected to probe the removal include; William Kipkemoi Kisang’ (Elgeyo Marakwet), Abass Sheikh Mohamed (Wajir), Mwenda Gataya Mo Fire (Tharaka Nithi), Tabitha Mutinda Munene (Nominated), and Raphael Chimera Mwinzagu (Nominated).

Also appointed were; Miraj Abdullahi Abdulrahman (Nominated), Erick Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), Catherine Mumma (Nominated), Daniel Maanzo (Makueni), Betty Batuli Montet (Nominated), and Richard Onyonka (Kisii).

Speaker Kingi directed the committee to report back to the Senate within 10 days and present its findings on whether or not the allegations levelled against Mr. Oduol for his removal were substantiated.

Mr. Oduol was impeached on June 8, 2023 after 42 Siaya MCAs unanimously adopted a 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 in the Siaya County Assembly by its Chairman and Yimbo East Ward MCA Francis Otiato, said it found the claims to be substantiated and recommended impeachment of the DG.

During the deliberations on the report, Siaya MCAs - one after the other - supported Mr. Oduol’s removal accusing him of being a dishonest leader who was only out to advance his selfish gains.

They stated that the differences between Mr. Oduol and his boss Governor James Orengo had become irreparable to an extent that they cannot continue working together, hence the need for him to be sent home to give the county chief room to deliver proper services to the people