Siaya County Chief of Staff Cyrus Oguna on Tuesday, June 6, revealed that he voluntarily resigned as Government Spokesman in January 2023, five months before his contract was scheduled to end.
Oguna, in an interview with KBC, explained that the time was ripe for him to serve his community as an employee of Siaya County.
“It was time for me to return home and serve my county of Siaya. It is my time to give back to the community after serving at the national level for over 30 years,” he stated.
Oguna emphasised that he was not sacked by the Kenya Kwanza Government neither did anybody coerce him to relinquish the position of government spokesman before the end of his contract, scheduled for June 2023.
“My decision to quit the government spokesman job was my personal decision that should not be associated with politics.
“I am working well with the county government but if it happens that Governor Orengo quits now, I will also resign because I know he is delivering his mandate well as the county boss,” he clarified.
During the interview, the retired military man appreciated his long-running career after stints as spokesman for the Kenya defense forces as well as government spokesman among other jobs.
Orengo Wrangles
Oguna downplayed corruption allegations against his boss, Governor James Orengo, arguing that his deputy William Oduol's claims were false. He accused Oduol of eyeing the governor's seat.
“Corruption allegations in the county or against Governor Orengo are just allegations of the deputy governor who is also aspiring to be the next governor,” he clarified.
Orengo appointed Cyrus Oguna as Chief of Staff in October 2022 but he officially assumed the role in 2023 after sailing through interviews.
Prior to his appointment as Siaya County Chief of Staff, Oguna served as National Government Spokesman since May 2019, a position he took over from Eric Kiraithe.
As a military officer, Oguna held several positions relating to the management of operations, training and communications with Kenya Defence Forces.
Between 2014 and 2017, he served as Defence Advisor at Kenya’s High Commission in Tanzania.
Apart from being a graduate of the National Defence College, Oguna holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Nairobi and another Master’s degree in International Studies from the same institution.
After Oguna’s resignation, the Public Service Commission (PSC) advertised for his replacement on February 7, 2023, in the local dailies.
