Wamuzi News Ke
A governance crisis has erupted in Siaya County after Governor James Orengo and Deputy Governor William Oduol went missing from public view for over a month—sparking widespread alarm and a citizen-led petition demanding answers over stalled county operations.
Siaya residents, led by activist Julius Oluoch, formally petitioned the County Assembly and multiple oversight institutions citing the unexplained absence of their top two county leaders.
They accuse the duo of dereliction of constitutional duty that has brought critical county operations, notably the approval of the 2025/2026 budget, to a grinding halt.
Governance Paralyzed amid Disappearing Act.
The petition claims Governor Orengo has been “conspicuously absent” for more than a month, with no leadership transition in place. This has thrown county affairs into limbo while the finance department remains leaderless:
No substantive County Executive Committee (CEC) member for finance has been appointed for nine months, and the Chief Finance Officer post has stayed vacant for nearly three years.
Deputy Governor Defamed, Staff Blocked.
Deputy Governor Oduol has publicly confirmed being systematically excluded from play. He alleges that Governor Orengo refused to reinstate him after he was cleared of impeachment charges, and ordered staff not to engage with him.
He claims he’s not allowed access to the county car, is skipped in all official briefings, and even pays for his own fuel while running county errands. Oduol warned, “Siaya today is on autopilot,” saying the executive branch is adrift without clear command.
Assembly Speaker Steps In—Or Takes Over?In the vacuum, County Assembly Speaker George Okode has been seen representing the county on major assignments—from hosting livestock officials to presiding over key conferences—actions traditionally reserved for the executive.
Okode insists the governor remains in office, claiming Orengo is on a private trip and that his absence does not jeopardise government continuity.
Citizens consider his actions unconstitutional, given that the **Constitution does not sanction prolonged dormancy of executive offices without lawful delegation or public notice.**
Calls for Oversight Intensify.
The petition has been directed to several bodies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), IEBC, the Senate, and even the ODM party, pressing for formal investigations and public clarity.
Petitioners demand the county disclose precise budget figures and reveal whether decision-making resumed under proper authority. Political analyst Samuel Owida stressed the rights of citizens to know the whereabouts of their leaders, stating that elected officials must be publicly accountable.
He warned that failure to address this crisis threatens the principles of devolution and democratic governance.
Why This Matters.
Public finance froze: Without executive leadership, the Siaya 2025/2026 budget remains unsigned, jeopardising county development plans.Power struggle exposed: Internal friction between Orengo and Oduol has escalated into claims of sabotage and retaliation.
Legal ambiguity looms: Sustained absence without formal leave or handover may violate constitutional protocols.Public trust eroding: Constituents are demanding clarity—not speculation—on their leaders’ absence.
