Siaya Health CEC impeached over alleged gross misconduct

Siaya Members of County Assembly on Wednesday unanimously resolved  to impeach the County’s Executive Committee member for health Dorothy Owino over alleged gross misconduct.

A report by the Select Committee that investigated Ms. Owino accused her of gross misconduct, incompetence, abuse of office and violation of the provisions of the constitution.

The report claimed she ran the affairs of the department with impunity by diverting 29% of the funds meant for purchasing drugs in the 2018/2019 financial year to payment of debts, without the express approval of the County Assembly thus causing serious shortage of drugs in the County’s health facilities.

“Dorothy Owino is somebody who doesn’t take this house seriously, this is one person who is not aware of the procurement process, we are dealing a someone who is taking us for granted,” said Sigomre Ward MCA  Erick Odawa.

She is further alleged to have irregularly lent money to M/S Tough Construction Company for completion of the construction of a maternity wing at Bondo Sub-County Hospital, a project that has not been completed to date.

North Ugenya Ward MCA Fredrick Opang’a, who supported the report, wanted the said contractor to be banned from doing business with the Siaya County Government.

“The said contractor should be banned from doing any construction works in Siaya because the Contractor took advantage and refused to complete his work. He has also refused to surrender the remaining amount to complete the said job,” said Opang’a.

Chairperson of the County Assembly’s Health Committee Abigail Otiende, who is also the MCA for Central Gem Ward, accused Ms. Owino of taking the assembly for granted and supported her removal from office.