Governor Orengo's absence raises alarm in Siaya amid fallout with deputy

A leadership crisis is unfolding in Siaya County, with mounting claims of a power vacuum and internal sabotage following Governor James Orengo’s prolonged absence from the county.

According to sources, the county chief has reportedly been out of the country, with no official communication from his administration on the nature and duration of the trip.

The governor was last seen in public on June 23 when he appeared before the Senate’s Public Accounts Committee to address audit queries.

On June 5, the governor led a delegation of Siaya leaders to the State House, where they discussed numerous development projects in the county.

Since then, Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode has been seen presiding over key county functions, including hosting the Livestock PS, Jonathan Mueke, during the commissioning of three key livestock investment projects worth Sh46 million.

On June 27, during a stakeholders' engagement on nuclear power held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo and a fundraiser at Makasembo Secondary School in Rarieda sub-county, the governor was represented by the speaker.

The events were attended by ODM party leader Raila Odinga, CS for Energy Opiyo Wandayi, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, MPs Christine Ombaka, Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga), Otiende Amollo (Rarieda) and David Ochieng (Ugenya).

The county boss also missed the ceremony for the translation of Canon Ida Odinga in St Peter's ACK Church, Nyamira.

For the last few weeks, concerns over Orengo's absence has escalated into a storm of accusations and revelations, exposing deep cracks in the county’s executive and raising urgent questions about governance, accountability and service delivery.

“Siaya today is on autopilot. The governor is away and has not handed over to his deputy to act in his absence, so no one knows what is going on in Siaya,” said Deputy Governor William Oduol.

Oduol, who spoke to The Standard, further revealed that despite being cleared by the Senate following a turbulent impeachment attempt, the governor has refused to reinstate him.

He further claimed that the office of the Deputy Governor has been completely disabled, with all the staff directed not to communicate with him or take instructions from him.

“I am not invited to cabinet meetings, and my benefits and allowances have been withdrawn. I even fuel the official county car from my own pocket,” he said.

He added that any effort to perform his official duties is futile, as the governor has issued firm instructions that no one should deal with him.

In a defiant tone, Oduol said he has chosen to take a back seat, convinced that his earlier warnings are now being proven true.

“All the MPs are now raising the same issues I raised in 2022. I have been vindicated,” he said.

The confusion has deepened within the executive, with both the County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Finance and the Chief Officer for Finance currently serving in acting capacity, without supervision or direction from either the governor or his deputy.

The County Secretary, Joseph Ogutu, referred us to the speaker for comment.

Speaker George Okode confirmed that the governor is out of the country on a private trip.

"It is true that the governor is physically out of station but not out of duty," said Okode.

While terming the issues as politically instigated, Okode dismissed claims that the county service delivery has not been disturbed by the governor's absence.

The speaker, who further clarified his representation of the governor in some functions, said the governor has been nominating different people, including the MCAs and members of the executive to represent him in different events.

"No law has been breached and there is no cause for alarm over the governor's short physical absence," he assured.

"It would only be a breach of law if I, the speaker, chaired a cabinet meeting," he added.