- Charges levelled against the Deputy Governor will be read before the committee
- The Deputy Governor will give his evidence on Thursday June 22, 2023.
Image: FILE
Siaya deputy governor William Oduol will on Wednesday face senators following his removal from office by ward representatives.
Oduol will appear before Senate Special Committee chaired by Elgeyo Marakwet senator William Kisang`.
According to the programme, Wednesday's hearing will entail a conference of parties, the introduction of Members of the Special Committee and the introduction of Members representing the County Assembly of Siaya and the counsel.
The Deputy Governor and the counsel representing him will also be introduced to the committee.
There will be the reading of the charges levelled against the Deputy Governor before the committee proceeds to hear the evidence by the County Assembly of Siaya.
The Deputy Governor will give his evidence on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Members of the County Assembly voted unanimously to hound Oduol out of office over gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution, and abuse of office.
"After according the deputy governor an opportunity to be heard, the County Assembly resolves to impeach William Odhiambo Oduol on grounds of gross violation of the constitution and other laws, misuse of public resources and gross misconduct," Assembly Speaker William Oduol pronounced on June 8, 2023.
During the process, the deputy governor has the right to appear and be represented before the senate committee to defend himself.
If the special committee finds no proof against the allegations facing the Deputy Governor, then the proceedings end there.
If it finds proof, the Senate proceeds to vote on impeachment charges which only takes place after the assurance that the deputy governor receives a fair hearing.
If a majority of the members of the Senate vote to uphold the impeachment, the deputy governor ceases to hold office.
If the recommendations vote to reject the impeachment charges, the Senate speaker should notify the speaker of the respective county assembly.
The same charges can however be introduced before the assembly after three months from the day the Senate votes against the impeachment.
If Senate upholds the assembly’s impeachment of the deputy governor, this will mean there will be a vacancy in the position.
When this happens, the onus is on the county governor to nominate a new deputy within 14 days.
MCAs will then vote on whether to approve or reject the nomination within 60 days.
The report by the Special Committee will be tabled in the Senate on June 26, 2023, during a Special sitting.