Orengo speaks on graft claims, invites EACC to probe his deputy

Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol at a past event. [File, Standard]

While committing to provide services to the people of Siaya, Orengo asked the commission to make a full inquiry as to whether any cash withdrawals made between the periods of September 2022 to date have been applied for purposes spelt out in the budget and relevant legal and financial instruments.

He also asked the commission to investigate whether monies initially allocated for Siaya County Stadium have been irregularly or at all reallocated to Migwena Stadium.

Orengo revealed EACC has been conducting investigations in relation to the alleged embezzlement of Sh600 million by officers of the county government of Siaya who worked under the former regime.

"The investigations commenced before the current administration assumed office and are yet to be concluded. It may well be possible that the amount of money which was pilfered could be more than Sh600 million," stated Orengo.

He added that the probe on some county staff and collection of some vital documents by the EACC in October last year gave an impression that it had zeroed down on the key suspects.

Orengo said the agency's silence has created room for speculation on the ongoing investigations.

"This is an issue which would otherwise have been avoided had the process been concluded in good time. This is in view of the fact that the discussions in the media touching on the alleged financial misappropriation in the county government are matters that the Commission was seized of long before the current administration took office," said Orengo.

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