Police officers in Siaya were forced to shoot in the air and lob teargas canisters to disperse supporters of Siaya governor, James Orengo, and his Deputy William Oduol on Saturday, May 13.
According to preliminary reports, the law enforcement officers were compelled to intervene after a confrontation between the supporters of the two lawmakers turned violent.
It was not immediately established if any of their supporters were hurt during the ugly confrontation. By the time of this publication, the cause of the disagreement was also yet to be revealed.
Orengo and his deputy met during a funeral service of one of the Siaya County Assembly official.
Before their meeting, Orengo and Oduol had differed over the management of the county. Following their disagreement, three activists filed a case at the Milimani High Court in Nairobi seeking direction.
The activists, in their petition, accused Governor Orengo of sabotaging Oduol.
However, a judge sitting at the Milimani Law Courts, Justice Hedwiq Ong’udi, transferred the matter back to Siaya High Court, arguing that it had the jurisdiction to handle the case.
"Upon perusal of the pleadings herein, I have noted that the complaint is against the Governor of Siaya County and the Siaya County government," Ong’udi stated.
"There is a High Court in Siaya County, which should hear the matter. I therefore transfer the file to the Siaya High Court for hearing and determination. The file to be placed before the presiding judge for further directions," he added.
On April 27, Oduol lamented that he had been blocked from a Cabinet meeting chaired by Governor Orengo. He was set to appear before the assembly to answer allegations of alleged misappropriation of funds in the county government.
Following the disagreement between the two Siaya County top bosses, the three activists moved to court, accusing Orengo of sabotaging his deputy.
The petitioners allege that the governor has subjected his deputy to ridicule and humiliation by tripping him of the privileges of a deputy county boss.
