Siaya Deputy Governor Dr. William Oduol Denge has opened a new battlefront with his boss Governor Orengo over the irregular allocation of over six-thousand hectares of land in the Yala Swamp to Lake Agro Limited.
James Orengo (in orange) and his running mate William Oduol (in Blue ) celebrate in Siaya town after being cleared to vie for the governorship ahead of last year’s elections. Transparency and accountability were among the pillars of their campaign. Photo: NMG
Dr. Oduol said when the National Lands Commission called for public participation in November 2022, Governor Orengo was the first leader to oppose the lease.
“The 66-year period is such a long time and we must get back to the drawing board and ensure that the Community benefits from the swamp,” Governor Orengo had said then.
While making a State of the County speech Governor Orengo indicated he was against the signing of a 66-year-old lease with the company which is associated with sugar billionaire Jaswant Rai. Orengo made some loud noises about instituting a judicial review of the lease against the National Lands Commission and making sure the riparian community got equitable use of the swamp.
“Since he has not asked for a judicial review or instituted a fresh petition the Governor was simply playing PR with a subject that is too dear to the community,” said Dr. Oduol, adding that Lake Agro Limited is likely a front for a cabal of politicians who have used the Yala Swamp wetland for over a decade now as a cash-cow.
In November 2019 before he wound up business in the Yala Swamp, Mr. Calvin Burgers of Dominion Farms Limited said a certain powerful politician and his family were making his venture unprofitable by carting away lorry-fulls of rice. American firm Dominion Farms Limited which held a 25-year lease for Yala Swamp in Siaya County officially handed it over to Lake Agro Limited.
A Kenya Gazette Notice dated January 13, 2020, indicates that Dominion Farms occupied land measuring 3,700 hectares within the Yala swamp. Today Lake Agro occupies 6763.74 hectares from the recommendations of the National Lands Commission.
Siaya Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol Denge has affirmed that the war against corruption has just begun. Photo: Deputy Governor’s office.
Dr. Oduol now says he has no intention of backing down in the fight against corruption and if the Governor knows something about this irregular allocation he should tell the people who voted him into office.
Messrs. Ayiro Lwala and Chris Owala of Yala Ecosystem Site Support Group (YESSG) say when Governor Orengo made an unexpected about-turn about pursuing the matter in court the group instituted legal proceedings against the investor.
“Our case was contemptuously thrown out,” says Mr. Ayiro, adding “We looked like madmen pursuing the wind. Even officials from the county government turned against us. We have not given up, however, and we are now working with Nature Kenya to pursue the matter through state organs.”
The two Community leaders praised the Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol for taking up the matter with his boss Governor Orengo and assured him of Community support.
The recent burst dyke in Yala Swamp was a result of failed promises, poor politics and mismanagement, an independent report revealed. Photo: NMG
The rich Yala Swamp ecosystem is home to endangered species of birds, fish and mammals, including the rare Sitatunga antelope. Thousands in the riparian area also depend on the swamp for water, agriculture and conservation uses.
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