Siaya MCAs to drag DG William Oduol to court after failed impeachment
Members of the Siaya County Assembly (MCAs) have revealed their next course of action after attempts to remove Deputy Governor William Oduol from office through impeachment hit a snag.
In a notice, just hours after the Senate voted to dismiss charges against Oduol, the assembly said it had resolved to petition the High Court to determine the deputy governor's suitability to hold a public office.
"The House, therefore, resolves that a constitutional petition be filled by the County Assembly of Siaya, at the High Court of Kenya at Siaya, to find the Deputy Governor William Oduol unfit to hold a public office," the notice signed by Ukwala Ward Representative Peter Oduor reads.
At the same time, the House revealed intentions to petition the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe Oduol on two charges of gross violation of the constitution and abuse of office, that a Senate special committee probing the impeachment found to have been substantiated.
The House wants investigative agencies to take action against the deputy governor for allegedly flouting procurement regulations in the purchase of furniture for his office.
They also want the county's second in command to vacate his current office and all the furniture preserved pending investigations.
"The office of the Deputy Governor be vacated together with the furniture to be preserved and never to be used till investigations are concluded; meanwhile Dr Oduol be given an alternative office," the House recommends.
The MCAs have also recommended that Siaya Governor James Orengo ceases to assign his deputy any official duties until the probe is concluded.
William Oduol survives impeachment
Oduol survived an impeachment motion brought to the Senate by the Siaya County Assembly after 27 out of 43 senators voted to keep him in office on Monday.
"The Senate has failed to remove from office by impeachment William Oduol, the Deputy Governor of Siaya County and that the Deputy Governor accordingly continues to hold office," Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced on Monday.
Oduol was accused of spending Sh18 million of the taxpayers' money to renovate his office for personal comfort after assuming office in August last year.
An office chair at the centre of the impeachment of Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol was presented before the Senate committee probing the ouster last Thursday.
The armchair is said to have cost the taxpayers a whopping Sh1,120,000.
Siaya MCAs' case
The MCAs told the Senate that Oduol spent Sh1.1million to procure a “presidential” chair in disregard of the procurement plan.
The MCAs said the funds would have been channelled to support learners through the county's bursary programme.
Oduol, however, denied all the charges terming the impeachment motion against him as a witchhunt.
