Tension has gripped Homa Bay County following the unprecedented fallout between Governor Gladys Wanga and her Deputy, H.E. Oyugi Magwanga.
This comes after Governor Wanga relieved Magwanga of his duties in the agriculture docket through an executive order that many have interpreted as political retaliation.
The row stems from the recent Kasipul Constituency by-election, where Magwanga openly supported Philip Aroko despite Wanga’s endorsement of Boyd Were, a move that is believed to have triggered the dramatic escalation.
In a strongly worded press statement, Magwanga condemned what he termed as unlawful and unconstitutional actions by Governor Wanga.
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According to him, his office alongside those of the County Secretary and Payroll Management officers was locked without explanation, effectively barring him and the affected officers from performing their duties.
Magwanga described the move as “an alarming display of blatant impunity and abuse of power,” adding that such conduct represents “a shameful and retrogressive assault on public administration.” He further argued that locking out government officials due to political differences amounts to an attack on democratic institutions and the rule of law.
The Deputy Governor accused Wanga of orchestrating a calculated political power play meant to intimidate dissenting voices within the county leadership. He argued that such actions obstruct the functioning of county governance and demonstrate a disregard for public interest.
Magwanga emphasized that public offices are held in trust on behalf of the people and should not be weaponized for personal political vendettas. He warned that such conduct undermines government integrity, stalls essential services, and threatens the democratic principles that bind the county together.
“Public service demands respect, civility, and commitment to the welfare of citizens—not intimidation or exclusion,” his statement reads. The DG insisted that political differences should be addressed through dialogue and lawful means rather than misuse of authority.
In his concluding remarks, Magwanga called on Governor Wanga to immediately reverse the closure of offices and restore access to all affected officials. He urged the county leadership to recommit to serving the people with fairness and honor, insisting that Homa Bay deserves leadership that respects the law and prioritizes public interest.
As the standoff continues, residents are watching closely, with many expressing concern about the impact of the political fallout on service delivery.