Otuoma offers to mediate between Orengo and his Deputy

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma on Tuesday offered to mediate in the ongoing dispute between Siaya Governor James Orengo and his Deputy William Oduol.

During the food distribution exercise to flood victims in Alego Usonga, Otuoma said that he will engage the two leaders in talks for them to focus on delivering services to the county.

"These people are my friends and everyone has their roles set out but you cannot be the deputy governor and want to be the governor.

"These disagreements we are seeing people insulting each other in public instead of working for the people is not a good sight to see," he said.

Governor Orengo and his deputy have been at differences for various reasons, including allegations of corruption and favoritism.

The standoff of their recent rivalry resulted in a petition signed by three activists.

Otuoma urged Oduol to focus on his duty as the deputy governor and let Orengo perform his duties.

He added that he knew Orengo as a hardworking governor.

ODM secretary for political Affairs Opiyo Wandayi in a statement on Tuesday went ahead and advised Oduol to resign so as to allow Orengo to appoint a replacement.

He said the issue was due to discordance between the two leaders in the past few weeks which had also culminated in the violent disruption of a recent funeral they attended.

Oduol however reiterated a few days later saying that the matter of resignation was not an option.

Adding that if he resigned the residents of Siaya will have nobody to speak for them.

"The corrupt will have a field day if I resign. That won't happen," he said.