Impeachment motion against Siaya County Deputy Governor William Oduol on Monday, June 26, fell flat at the Senate after Members of Parliament rejected a committee report that recommended his removal from office.
In a voting exercise carried out during a special sitting to consider a report of the special Ad Hoc Committee, the majority of the Senators observed that the alleged offences did not warrant impeachment of the deputy governor.
"The net effect of this vote is done pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution. It is important to state that the Senate has failed to impeach the Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol, and he will continue to hold office," Senate Speaker Amason Kingi ruled.
The committee had found the DG guilty of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws as well as misleading the public by giving false information.
Twenty-seven senators, however, dismissed the charges against Oduol while only 16 approved. 36 lawmakers were present in the chambers while 3 voted virtually.
The committee had also dismissed two counts of misappropriation of funds and abuse of his office as the deputy governor of Siaya County.
The recommendations were made by members of the Special Committee including, Sentors William Kisang of Elgeyo Marakwet County (Chairperson), Betty Batuli Montet (Vice Chairperson), Abass Mohamed of Wajir County, Mwenda Gataya Mo Fire of Tharaka Nithi County.
Other members of the special committee included Tabitha Mutinda, Raphael Chimera Mwinzagu, Miraj Abdullahi Abdulrahman, Nyamira County Senator Erick Okong’o Omogeni, Catherine Mumma, Daniel Maanzo of Makueni County and Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka.
"The committee notes that the Deputy Governor admitted to have interfered with the procurement process in Siaya County," committee chairman Sentors William Kisang of Elgeyo Marakwet County stated.
In the Senate plenary, Azimio la Umoja Coalition MPs seemed to side with Siaya County MCAs while Kenya Kwanza Legistarors summarily dismissed the allegations.
The Senate Special Committee on the proposed removal from office by the impeachment of the Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol concluded its hearings on Thursday, June 22, and retreated to write the report that was tabled in the House during the special sitting.
The County Assembly and the Deputy Governor of Siaya County submitted their evidence on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 respectively.
