Siaya county governor James Orengo and his deputy Dr. William Denge in a past public event //Photo courtesy
Siaya county Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol has broken his silence over growing concerns about leadership wrangles within the county government, reaffirming his loyalty to Governor James Orengo and calling for reconciliation, constitutional order, and unity in service delivery.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, 5th July 2025, from the Office of the Deputy Governor, Dr Oduol acknowledged that differences have emerged between himself and the Governor but dismissed any notions of division within the county’s top leadership. “These disagreements are regrettable,” he stated, “but they do not diminish my deep respect for his office, nor do they detract from our collective commitment to serving.”
While reiterating his role as the Governor’s principal assistant under Article 179 of the Constitution, Dr Oduol emphasized that his position is complementary—not parallel—to that of the Governor. He described his loyalty as “resolute and unwavering,” asserting that he stands ready to receive and execute lawful instructions from Governor Orengo.
The Deputy Governor’s remarks come in the wake of the Governor’s temporary absence from office and rising speculation over the state of affairs within the Siaya County Executive. Tensions have reportedly simmered over administrative disagreements, though Dr Oduol avoided specifics, instead appealing for dialogue. “Leadership is not about personal ambition or rivalry; it is, and must always be, about selfless service,” he noted.
Addressing what he termed as confusion regarding the respective roles of the County Executive and County Assembly, Dr Oduol cautioned against institutional overreach, particularly from the Assembly. Without naming names initially, he later directly called upon Siaya County Assembly Speaker Hon George Okode to respect the constitutional separation of powers, citing Article 185, which defines the legislative role of the Assembly, and warning against encroachment on executive functions. “The County Assembly… is not an extension of the Executive, nor is it mandated to perform administrative functions,” he said. “We must safeguard the institutional boundaries that ensure good governance and constitutional order.”
To address current leadership friction and restore public trust, the Deputy Governor outlined his intentions to hold a consultative meeting with Governor Orengo upon his return to address their differences. He committed to continuing his duties in full alignment with the law and the Governor’s instructions. Dr Oduol also pledged to seek formal dialogue with the County Assembly to reaffirm institutional roles and assured the public of his continued dedication to service.
He concluded his statement with a passionate call for unity and a recommitment to the spirit of devolution. Quoting Article 10 of the Constitution, he reminded county officials of their obligation to uphold values like transparency, accountability, democracy, and public participation. “Let us rise above division, suspicion, and institutional tension,” he urged. “Let us instead recommit ourselves to the promise of devolution… and unwavering service to the great people of Siaya County.”
Leave a comment