By Habil Onyango
Homa Bay County Assembly Clerk Hanningtone Dey Abeka has responded sharply to former Speaker Julius Gaya’s recent criticism of Governor Gladys Wanga’s development record, saying Gaya should be the last person to speak ill of the Governor.
Abeka pointed out that when Gaya held office and enjoyed the privileges of his position, he frequently praised Wanga for her efforts in developing the county. However, since resigning, Gaya has begun to criticize the Governor’s performance.
“When Gaya was receiving salaries and other benefits from the county government, he was very vocal in telling residents how positively Governor Wanga was changing their lives,” said Abeka.
“Now that he has decided to step down, he is criticizing the Governor’s development record.” He spoke
Gaya recently made remarks in Karachuonyo, blaming the Governor for failing to fulfill her pledges to the people of the region, which Gaya hails from.
Despite supporting Wanga’s candidacy during the last elections, he expressed regret during a funeral service in Karachuonyo, apologizing to the community for convincing them to support her.
“Through my influence, you accepted and voted for Wanga as the next Governor. However, I apologize for misleading you; she has completely failed to honor the promises she made during the campaigns,” Gaya stated.
He also criticized Wanga for delays in employee salaries, which he claims have reached up to two months.
Abeka countered that Homa Bay has only one leader—the Governor—and that she deserves respect.
He accused Gaya of jeopardizing other people’s futures due to his greed during his tenure.
Furthermore, Abeka urged Gaya to stop dragging the Governor’s name into discussions about salary delays, explaining that the funds for employee salaries come from the National Treasury and are only disbursed when released.
“If salaries are delayed, how is Gaya concerned since he chose to resign from his position?” Abeka asked. “Does he expect the Governor to go and milk cows to sell for paying employees?”
In Kanyaluo ward, Abeka emphasized that Wanga has made significant strides in developing Homa Bay in just three years since her election.
“The level of development that the Governor has brought to Homa Bay is impressive,” he said, adding that he believes there will be no worthy competitor against Wanga in the 2027 general elections.
Gaya, who has also faced criticism from some ODM officials and MCAs, has expressed regret for advocating for a “young lady” to lead the people of Karachuonyo.
ODM Karachuonyo branch chairman George Maigo described Gaya’s remarks on Wanga’s performance as unfortunate.
Maigo stated, “What Wanga has accomplished in the last three years cannot be compared to what the previous administration, led by Governor Cyprian Awiti, achieved in ten years while Gaya was serving as an MCA.”
He urged Gaya to refrain from comments that portray the people of Karachuonyo as against Wanga’s leadership. “Wanga was elected by the people, and her administration is centered on the people,” Maigo emphasized.
Maigo asserted that Gaya does not represent Karachuonyo and should not claim to speak on behalf of the voters ahead of the 2027 elections, as the party will guide the direction of the electorate.
Governor Wanga has previously defended her development record and her appointments in Karachuonyo, highlighting that nearly half of her county appointees come from the region. Among those appointed are her Deputy Oyugi Magwanga, Agriculture Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM), and other CECMs, including Joash Aloo (Trade), Dannish Onyango (Roads), Solomon Obiero (Finance), and Elijah Munga (Sports), among others.
“Almost half of my government comes from Rachuonyo,” Wanga said at a past event.
Gaya, however, told those opposed to his comments that he is yet to start a real criticism on Wanga’s leadership.
