ODM wants Siaya deputy governor Oduol to resign over tiff with Orengo

Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol is under pressure to quit due to sharp differences between him and Governor James Orengo. [File, Standard]

ODM wants has asked Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol to resign even as the differences between him and Governor James Orengo continue to deepen.

The party said the stalemate between Orengo and Oduol has the potential of interfering with the proper functioning of the county government.

In a statement released to newsrooms by National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi who is also ODM party's Secretary for Political Affairs, the Raila Odinga-led outfit argued Oduol's resignation would create room for Orengo to pick a person whom he can harmoniously work with.

Wandayi said the party had come to that conclusion because of the widening rift between the governor and his deputy who no longer see eye-to-eye.

"After a careful analysis of the prevailing situation in the County Government of Siaya, unless something drastic is done about the evidently toxic relationship between Governor Orengo and Deputy Governor Oduol, uninterrupted delivery of quality service to the people of Siaya cannot be guaranteed," said Wandayi.

He claimed the working relationship between the two leaders appears to be irreparably broken down.

"We find ourselves in a bizarre situation where the deputy governor has lost the confidence in his own government," said Wandayi.

The Minority Leader believes the party's opponents have a hand in the woes affecting the devolved unit.

"In view of the foregoing, and without prejudice, I find the continued stay of Oduol in the position of deputy governor under Orengo totally untenable. Accordingly, it is my advice, both in my official capacity pursuant to Article 43 (1) (b) of the ODM Constitution and as a bonafide voter in Siaya, that Oduol should tender his resignation without any further delay. This would then create room for Orengo to appoint a replacement," said Wandayi.

Orengo and his deputy have been at loggerheads in recent months. The two leaders have been trading accusations against each other, a development which has damaged their working relationship. They have disagreed over the running of the county government.

The statement by Wandayi, the MP for Ugunja, came hours after the county assembly dismissed all the allegations Oduol had made against the executive and Orengo.

MCAs are planning to impeach Oduol even as pressure continues to pile on him to quit. East Asembo MCA Gordon Onguru has filed a notice motion for the deputy governor's impeachment.

Earlier, the MCAs dismissed the deputy governors, allegations of corruption and misappropriation in the executive.

The deputy governor, however, said he did not know the grounds for his planned ouster.