Swala Nyeti has exposed fresh details on the misuse of public resources in Siaya County, revealing how former Deputy Governor William Oduol was involved in questionable spending and interference in procurement processes.
Oduol, who was impeached by a majority of MCAs on June 8, 2023, faced allegations of gross violation of the Constitution and misappropriation of public funds.
The MCAs accused him of forcing changes in procurement, influencing the awarding of tenders, and wasting county money on unnecessary luxury projects instead of focusing on development.
According to Swala Nyeti, one of the most shocking cases of wasteful spending involved Oduol pressuring the county government to buy a high-end chair worth KSh 1.1 million immediately after he took office.
This so-called “presidential chair” was part of an extravagant Sh18 million office renovation project. Among the costly upgrades was a soundproofing installation that cost an additional Sh2 million.
These revelations have angered Siaya residents, who are now questioning why such expenses were prioritized when the county continues to struggle with stalled projects and poor service delivery.
The allegations against Oduol do not stop at office renovations. Swala Nyeti reports that Siaya MCAs, through their lawyer Willis Otieno, informed the Senate Committee that Oduol manipulated procurement processes to control the awarding of 86 road tenders.
By interfering in these processes, he allegedly ensured that contracts were given to specific individuals instead of following due process.
Such actions not only violate procurement laws but also open doors for corruption and substandard work. This alleged interference with tenders was one of the key reasons why the MCAs turned against him and pushed for his removal.
Despite these serious accusations, Oduol denied all claims when he appeared before the Senate. He distanced himself from the Sh18 million office renovations, claiming he had no involvement in the spending decisions.
He also denied interfering with procurement or pressuring anyone to award tenders unfairly. However, the details uncovered by Swala Nyeti tell a different story, raising doubts about his defense.
The fact that millions were spent on luxury office renovations while essential projects remained underfunded has left many residents furious.
The latest revelations highlight the deep corruption in county governments, where leaders appear more interested in personal comfort than public service.
Oduol’s impeachment may have been a step towards accountability, but many wonder how many other county officials are engaged in similar misconduct without being exposed.
The people of Siaya deserve better, and the exposure of such cases shows that financial mismanagement is a major obstacle to development in the county.
