The pressure to have embattled Siaya deputy governor William Oduol quit following his differences with his boss Governor James Orengo continues to intensify.
Just hours after the county assembly dismissed all the allegations by the DG against the executive and Orengo, ODM party secretary for political affairs Opiyo Wandayi added his voice to the raging controversy.
Wandayi who is also the Ugunja MP and minority leader in the national assembly released a terse statement calling on Oduol to resign and allow Orengo to appoint a replacement that can amicably work with the governor.
His sentiments came as East Asembo MCA Gordon Onguru issued a notice of intention to bring a motion to impeach Oduol over allegations of violation of the constitution, abuse of office and gross misconduct.
Onguru will move the motion on May 29th.
Wandayi on Monday said he has followed, with keen interest, the recent developments in the County Government of Siaya and noted, with great concern, the widening rift and discordance between the offices of Governor and Deputy Governor in the past few weeks.
"The climax was the ugly and violent disruption of a funeral attended by both Governor James Orengo and Deputy Governor William Oduol on 13th May 2023 in Alego Usonga Constituency," he said.
In the same period, he said the Siaya public, and the entire nation, has been treated to a litany of allegations of corruption and other irregularities in the County Government by Oduol.
"Whereas I abhor corruption in all its manifestations, I believe in the sanctity of due process. Moreover, in common law, he who alleges bears the burden of proof," he said.
Wandayi said that is partly why he maintained a studious silence over the raging controversy.
Wandayi threw his weight behind the verdict of the general oversight committee that threw out the corruption allegations by the DG on Monday .
"Today in the afternoon, I had an opportunity to read a freshly published report of the Siaya County Assembly on the various allegations levelled against the County Executive of Siaya by Oduol," he said.
"It is my finding that the said report is prima facie balanced. A careful reading of the report and the recommendations thereof leaves one with no option but to agree with the County Assembly," Wandayi said.
The MP said the allegations of corruption must be backed by solid evidence.
He termed as toxic the relationship between the DG and his boss and called for drastic action to stem further damages and derailment of service delivery.
"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 quality service delivery to the people of Siaya cannot be guaranteed," he said.
He added that as things stand, 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 confidence in his own government," he said.
Wandayi noted that there is no doubt that the stalemate has the potential of interfering with the proper functioning of an ODM-led government in a strategic county.
This he said cannot be countenanced.
Wandayi alleged that there are signs of a hidden hand of ODM opponents in the escalation of this unfortunate situation in Siaya.
"These opponents, having starved counties of their equitable share of resources, will capitalize on the slightest opportunity to kill devolution altogether," Wandayi noted.
" In view of the foregoing, and without prejudice, I find the continued stay of Hon. Oduol in the position of Deputy Governor under Hon. Orengo totally untenable."
He said it was his advice, both in his official capacity, pursuant to Article 43 (1) (b) of the ODM Constitution and as a bona fide voter in Siaya, that Hon. Oduol should tender his resignation without any further delay.
He said doing so would then create room for Orengo to appoint a replacement with whom he can harmoniously steer the County Government of Siaya.
