Governor Orengo not picking up my calls, says Oduol

Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol's efforts to reconcile with his boss James Orengo appear to have hit a snag.

Oduol says he has been trying to mend fences with Orengo and his allies, to allow for the smooth running of the devolved unit, in vain.

"I have tried calling Orengo three times but he has not picked up my calls. But you know I am elected and not appointed, so work continues. I do not have to rely on him," claimed Oduol.

He noted that should the reconciliation fail, he will work alone to serve the people of Siaya.

On Saturday, a confident Oduol said nobody will stop him from accessing his designated office because he has the support of Siaya residents who voted for him and Orengo to serve together.

According to Oduol, he will be happy if the county is disbanded to enable them to seek a fresh mandate if they cannot resolve their differences.

There has been a frosty relationship between Oduol and Orengo for months. The deputy governor lost the support of several leaders, including MCAs, because of this

"I am the deputy governor of Siaya. I will be here and if I have to go anywhere, Orengo must also go. But if he wants me to go. I will be happy if the county is disbanded and we seek a fresh mandate. This is our government and not his," said Oduol.

He said he would focus more on his watchdog role if Orengo does not assign him duties.

"I want to be the public watchdog. You know in most cases deputy governors have to wait to be assigned roles by the governor but a deputy governor can assign himself a duty," noted Oduol.

He claimed that he is going to act as the county government delivery unit to make sure projects advised by Orengo's administration are awarded and done in accordance with the right specifications.

Oduol returns to the county at a time when MCAs have taken his impeachment war to the High Court.

Oduol survived an impeachment motion filed before Senate by Siaya MCAs. Senators voted to keep him in office.

On Saturday, Orengo, through his Director of Communications Ben Agina, downplayed the alleged lack of goodwill to take Oduol back.

"Reintegration is a process," said Agina.