James Orengo Says His Relationship With Oduol Is Beyond Repair, Regrets Ignoring Raila's Advice

• Deputy Governor William Oduol accused Governor James Orengo of locking him out of office and county activities after his failed impeachment
• Oduol claimed that Orengo did not delegate duties to him, instructed the executive to avoid him, and withheld his allowances and benefits
• Orengo denied locking Oduol out, stating that it would be difficult for Siaya residents to accept Oduol back, even if he agreed to work with him
• Orengo revealed that ODM leader Raila Odinga and other advisors had warned him against picking Oduol as his running mate

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Siaya - Governor James Orengo and his deputy William Oduol's working relationship has deteriorated months after his failed impeachment.

The two leaders appeared separately before the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on Thursday, May 23.

In his submissions, Oduol accused Orengo of locking him out of his office and any county activities.

The DG claimed his boss doesn't delegate him any duties, adding that Orengo had instructed members of his executive to avoid dealing with him.

Oduol told the committee, which includes Siaya senator Oburu Oginga, that Orengo had never invited him to Cabinet sittings.

He alleged that the county chief had withheld his allowances and benefits, including the fueling of his official vehicle.

"After the unsuccessful impeachment, the governor completely blocked me from any county activities, failed to delegate any duties to me," said Oduol.

How did Orengo respond to Oduols accusations?

The governor told the Wajir Senator Sheikh Abbass-led committee that it would be difficult for Siaya residents to accept Oduol back even if he accepted working with him.

Orengo rubbished claims that he had locked Oduol out of his office, adding that he could not interfere.

The county chief revealed that he had been warned about picking Oduol as his running mate by ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

He said trouble started brewing between them after the presidential election petition when he had left him in charge.

“Dr Oburu here told me you are making a very big mistake. My own party leader told me you are making a big mistake. It didn't take two months. The problem was that as soon as I was sworn in I came to Nairobi to participate in the presidential election petition and I had left him running the county for two-three months. When I went back I think he was expecting a reversal of roles where I would be the deputy."

Orengo stated that, unlike his deputy, he had evidence to prove that he had been receiving all his benefits, adding that it was upon him to attend Cabinet sessions.

ODM expels Oduol over fallout with Orengo

Earlier, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party expelled the Siaya deputy governor after a series of disagreements with Orengo.

ODM officials accused the deputy governor of pressing unsubstantiated allegations in the media against Orengo instead of following the party's conflict resolution protocol.

They accused Oduol of collaborating with the government to create instability and confusion in the leadership of the county.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke