By Team
Peaceful demonstrations by hundreds of women rocked and paralyzed Kisumu town over what they termed “unwarranted fighting” against Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
The demonstrators, carrying placards and twigs, took to the streets accusing Wanga of waging an unnecessary war against Omollo.
The demonstrators expressed confidence in President William Ruto and his government, saying Omollo has effectively represented his agenda in the region.
The 4.00 p.m. demo caught several residents and travelers unaware and caused panic in a town that has witnessed peace for the last two years after the formation of the broad-based government.
A section of the demonstrators claimed Wanga had opened a war against the PS over the Kasipul by-election, yet Omollo openly campaigned for and supported Boyd Were of ODM, who won the election.
The women protestors said the community should avoid divisive politics and should not undermine the technocrats in the government but should instead concentrate on development.
Deputy President Prof. Kindiki Kithure and Omollo campaigned for Were in Sikri during the empowerment drive in the area.
Kisumu is the political barometer of Nyanza and influences the politics of four counties in Nyanza, namely Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kisumu.
On social media, the war raged, with Kisumu businessman Polycarp Ochola Kamili warning Wanga that they will resist any direct or indirect attacks on the PS, saying unity was the community’s strength.
He wrote on his Facebook page: “Winning the Kasipul seat was a collective effort within the broad-based government and not a platform for anyone to claim undue glory. Homa Bay is fortunate to have both you and PS Dr. Raymond Omollo, and we will not allow any attempts to undermine or smear the PS.”
Attempts to contact Wanga were unsuccessful as our calls were not responded to.
On Monday, Wanga cracked the whip by locking her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, out of his office and also relieved him of his duty as the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock Development.
Wanga also sacked Dr. Peter Ogalo as the CEC in charge of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development.
She also nominated Joseph Mitito to be the CEC in charge of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development.
In a press statement, Wanga replaced Magwanga with Danish Onyango, who will act in the position together with his current portfolio as CEC Roads.
“In order to enhance service delivery, to better serve the people of Homa Bay County, while exercising powers bestowed on me as the governor and pursuant to Sections 30, 31, and 35 of the County, I do hereby… The changes herein take effect immediately. The county secretary is tasked to ensure smooth handing over by those affected,” she wrote.
On Sunday, Wanga’s administration moved to change the locks and keys to the deputy governor’s office, and this morning, the employees at the office were stranded outside.
“The employees at the deputy governor’s offices are here sitting at the waiting bay. They cannot access the office and are waiting for directions and guidance from the Governor’s office, and they have been told to go back home,” said sources at the county.
Magwanga confirmed the block that houses his office, the county secretary, and human resource staff was locked and workers could not access it.
“I don’t know who has been locked out. I don’t know whether it is the deputy governor or the county secretary and human resource staff,” he said.
Magwanga claimed goons had been brought to man the county headquarters and questioned why an administrative issue was being politicized.
“I will go to work as usual. We cannot allow jungle law to take over the management of the county government. I am keenly looking at the event as things unfold. We cannot resort to jungle law,” he said.
Magwanga wondered why Wanga directed the office to be locked while she and the county secretary, Prof. Benard Muok, were out of the office.
“The top leadership should have been around after locking the access and changing the keys. Why are they not in the office?” he asked.
