ADVERTISEMENT When Siaya Deputy Governor Dr. William Oduol Denge fell out with his boss, Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo, in 2023, many dismissed it as political drama. Two years later, as the Governor’s reformist glow dims under the weight of corruption allegations, Oduol says time has proved him right.
“If I had stayed in that system, what moral authority would I have of telling the people that my maxim stands on fighting graft? We watched as they fumbled, and we can now, absolutely free of any hangups, guarantee you that Siaya deserves better in leadership,”
— Dr. William Oduol, Deputy Governor, Siaya County.
The Reform Ticket That Lost Its Soul
The Orengo–Oduol ticket had promised to “restore integrity in public service.” For a brief moment after the 2022 election, it looked like they might deliver. The two launched a Task Force on Governance and Fiscal Accountability, whose report, tabled on January 20, 2023, laid bare the extent of graft within Siaya’s devolved units.
It pointed fingers squarely at four critical departments — Finance, Roads and Public Works, Health, and Agriculture — describing them as “nests of systemic corruption.”
Among those named were:
George Odhiambo Nying’iro (CECM, Finance) and Thomas Okoth (Chief Officer, Finance) – accused of irregular imprest withdrawals, diversion of grants, and unauthorized payments.
Engineer Michael Onyango (Public Works) – cited for inflated road projects and non-existent maintenance works.
Dr. George Omondi (Health) – flagged for double procurement of medical supplies and questionable maintenance contracts.
David Oduor (Procurement, Agriculture) and Millicent Atieno (Chief Accountant) – implicated in kickbacks and collusion with suppliers.
Governor Orengo initially vowed to act. But in what many now see as a betrayal of his reformist vows, he later reshuffled his Cabinet and quietly reabsorbed several officers previously under investigation by the EACC and DCI — including Peter Oluoch, a former Chief Finance Officer once interdicted over the loss of KES 400 million during the Rasanga era.
The Imprest Scandal and the Fallout
The turning point came when Deputy Governor Oduol demanded a full audit of imprest accounts at Equity Bank’s Siaya branch, where millions were being withdrawn under vaguely worded approvals. When he pressed for transparency, he was frozen out, branded a dissident, and targeted for impeachment.
Still, Oduol stood his ground, arguing that integrity must trump loyalty. “Sometimes breaking away is the only way to stay clean,” he said. “Siaya deserves better than transactional politics and silent theft.”
The State of the County: Projects Stalled, Trust Eroded
Today, Siaya County is reeling from financial and moral fatigue. The Siaya Stadium, allocated over KES 210 million, remained incomplete until the national government stepped in. County health facilities struggle with drug shortages. Road projects exist only on paper.
According to internal budget reviews accessed by SIAYA TODAY, development spending stands at 34%, while recurrent expenditure — mostly salaries, travel, and allowances — consumes over 68% of the budget.
Civil society groups such as the Siaya Transparency Forum accuse the administration of “hollowing out development” while rewarding politically connected officers.
Where the Key Players Are Now
Ironically, none of the top officials named in the 2023 task force report have faced serious sanctions. CECM Finance George Odhiambo Nying’iro remains in office, albeit under an “acting capacity.” Chief Officer Thomas Okoth was transferred laterally to the Department of Trade — a move seen by insiders as a quiet cover-up before he left the service of CGS.
Engineer Michael Onyango is still supervising county infrastructure projects, despite the ghost-road allegations. Dr. George Omondi was briefly suspended, only to be reinstated after what was described as “a departmental reorganization.” Procurement Officer David Oduor continues to sign off on tenders at the Department of Agriculture.
Only one person — a mid-level accounts officer in the Department of Finance, Hezron Junior Opiyo, is currently under probe — has been arrested and arraigned for the theft of KES 100 million. His arrest, however, has sparked outrage, with whistleblowers alleging that “the small fish are being sacrificed to protect the sharks.”
Meanwhile, the Health Department remains haunted by the specter of irregular employment, where dozens of unqualified staff were hired through backdoor deals. Many legitimate health workers continue to languish in joblessness as the “ghost employees” silently draw salaries every month.
As political temperatures rise ahead of 2027, Siaya finds itself caught between the ideals of reform and the reality of inertia.
For Deputy Governor Oduol, the crisis has confirmed what he had warned all along — that leadership without integrity is unsustainable.
“The people now see for themselves,” he says. “We spoke against corruption, we paid the price, but truth has a way of catching up. The Governor’s scorecard speaks louder than my words ever could. Residents are still asking what is the fate of 382 health workers who offered services for nine months without pay? When will county employees ever be paid their salaries in time, and who will put to an end the inefficiency and rampant interdepartmental corruption that is eating away the whole of Siaya’s Own-source revenue?”
In Siaya, that scorecard — stained by broken promises, missing millions, and moral fatigue — tells its own unflattering story.
And as whispers grow louder about who truly runs the county, one question refuses to fade:
Was Oduol merely disloyal — or was he right all along?
