The Siaya County Deputy Governor William Oduol has defended himself against allegations of contravening the procurement requirements by forcing unbudgeted expenditure, an action that resulted in expenses of approximately Ksh 18 million for renovating his office, purchase of furniture and office equipment.

The Deputy Governor while appearing before the Senate Special Committee investigating his proposed removal from office chaired by Sen. William Kisang said he was not involved in any way in the procurement of the chair worth 1.12 million shillings as alleged.

“I wish to state that I have no role whatsoever in public procurement at any level in the procurement cycle and I did not in any way violate the provisions of section 53 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 as alleged,” argued the Deputy Governor.

Yesterday, the County Director of Supply Chain Management Mr. Martin Okwata who testified in support of the County Assembly of Siaya told the Committee that his Department procured the chair at 1.12 million shillings adding that the tender was awarded to the lowest bidder.

The County Assembly of Siaya through its first witness, MCA Francis Otiatio blamed the Deputy Governor for forcing County Government employees to bend rules to benefit him especially in the procurement Department.

“The Deputy Governor, banking on the authority of his office, forced incurring of expenses of approximately Ksh 18 million for purposes of renovating his office (interior and exterior works), purchase of furniture and office equipment; an expenditure that was not in the budget and therefore not in the procurement plan,” submitted MCA Otiato.

The Assembly also accused Hon. Oduol for interfering in the procurement of fertilizer and seeds.

“The Deputy Governor interfered with the procurement of contractors for various road projects in the County and that of Supply and delivery of Certified Seed and Fertilizer contrary to provisions of Section 47(1) of Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015,” argued MCA Francis Otiato.

The Deputy Governor who put up a spirited defence supported by witness Austine Otieno termed the allegations laid against him as baseless and purely full of witch-hunt urging the 11 members’ Special committee to dismiss the charges against him.

“The ground and allegations levelled against me that formed the basis of my impeachment are not only frivolous but scandalous, they cannot be substantiated and they cannot meet the threshold of “gross” as set out in the Constitution,” submitted Dr. Oduol.

The County Assembly of Siaya County in their final submission appealed to the Special Committee to consider the proposal to remove the Deputy Governor arguing that all the charges levelled against him have been substantiated according to them.

Advocate Peter Wanyama who gave the final submission on behalf of the County Assembly Legal team said it is the noble role of the Senate to ensure Devolution has been protected fully as stipulated by the Constitution.

In his final submission, the Deputy Governor commended the Special Committee for carrying out what he referred to as impartial hearing exercise.

He appealed to the Senate to continue protecting Devolution calling upon stakeholders to consider coming up with a legal framework that will address friction that has been experienced for some time now between Governors and the Deputy Governors in several Counties.

Dr. Oduol`s legal team led by Advocate Nyamodi appealed to the committee to throw away charges laid against the Deputy Governor terming them as baseless.

With the hearings coming to an end this Thursday, the Special Committee is now embarking on writing a report that will be tabled in the House on Monday June 26, 2023 during the Senate Special Committee.

Members of the Special Committee are Sen. William Kisang of Elgeyo Marakwet County (Chairperson), Sen. Betty Batuli Montet (Vice Chairperson), Sen. Abass Mohamed of Wajir County, Sen. Mwenda Gataya Mo Fire of Tharaka Nithi County, Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, Sen. Raphael Chimera Mwinzagu, Sen. Miraj Abdullahi Abdulrahman, Nyamira County Senator Erick Okong’o Omogeni, SC, Sen. Catherine Mumma, Sen. Daniel Maanzo of Makueni County and Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka.