Governor James Orengo Reshuffles Executive Committee, Revokes CEC Appointment

Siaya County Governor James Orengo has enacted significant changes within the County Executive Committee by revoking the appointment of Finance and Economic Planning CEC Benedict Abonyo Omollo, initially made in 2022.

In a gazette notice dated October 22, Governor Orengo announced the appointment of George Odhiambo Nying’iro as the new acting County Executive Committee Member responsible for Finance and Economic Planning.

“In exercise of the power conferred by section 31 (ba) of the County Governments Act, I, James Orengo, Governor of Siaya County, hereby reassign George Odhiambo Nying’iro to serve as the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning in an acting capacity,” part of the notice stated. “The appointment of Benedict Abonyo Omollo made via Gazette Notice No. 15365 of 2022 is revoked.”

Additionally, Orengo made further adjustments to his public finance management committee, establishing a four-member audit committee. This committee includes Benard Ouma Siero as chairperson, Jennifer Ayoo Ogola as secretary, and Anton Ochola Ajwang and Francis Oyulo Ochung as members, who will serve for a period of three years.

Omollo, who was appointed in a gazette notice dated December 9, 2022, served in the role for two years before his revocation.

This marks the second time Omollo has faced termination from a financial position. In 2015, he was serving as a finance director at the Judiciary when he was dismissed after raising concerns that allowances for certain commissioners were not being taxed.

In a subsequent petition against the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) for wrongful termination, Omollo alleged that he faced discrimination based on his ethnicity. He recounted threats made by one of the commissioners, indicating that the oversaturation of individuals from his tribe in the judiciary warranted dismissals.

His troubles continued when he was charged with the misappropriation of Ksh80 million from the judiciary, a charge he claimed was fabricated, and which was later dropped.

In 2023, Omollo successfully regained his position along with monetary compensation of Ksh11 million, which included Ksh2 million for damages and Ksh9 million in withheld salary during his suspension.

Justice Mbaru, in his ruling, stated, “There is no justification for such treatment established by the respondent. The court finds that the claimant was unlawfully treated and discriminated against based on his ethnicity, and on this finding, he is entitled to general damages.”