On Sunday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Siaya coordinating committee expelled Siaya County deputy governor William Oduol from the party. The committee endorsed the impeachment calls by a group of Siaya County Assembly members and announced that East Asembo MCA Gordon Onguru would table the motion for impeachment on Monday, May 29, 2023.
Walter Okello, the committee’s organizing secretary, read a statement stating that the deputy governor should resign from his position as he no longer aligns with the party’s aspirations. Siaya Governor James Orengo attended the meeting but did not address the press afterward.
The committee expressed concern about some county government officials resorting to false accusations in the media instead of using available dispute resolution mechanisms within the party. They accused Oduol of collaborating with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and being used by political opponents to cause instability and distract Governor Orengo from his agenda.
During the meeting, the committee also approved the replacement of the ODM Bondo branch secretary and the overhaul of the leadership in the Gem constituency branch. The committee further expressed support for secession, as advocated by ODM leader Raila Odinga, citing grievances related to the high cost of living, exclusion in the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), government interference with opposition parties, and the lack of an electoral audit and access to the 2022 presidential election servers.
The urgency to secede was further fueled by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s statement that the government operates like a shareholding company, with opportunities being allocated based on voting patterns.