By Hope Barbra
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga’s political re-organization and a possible 2027 line-up could have suffered a dent after the Kisumu Employment and Labour Relations Court stayed the ongoing vetting and approval exercise of the deputy governor and two county executive committee members by the County Assembly of Homa Bay.
In the conservatory order, Justice Nzioki Wa Makau gave the orders after an application by Michael Kojo Otieno and Evans Oloo Gor claimed the appointments violated the constitution.
The judge directed that the application be served for hearing on 28th April 2026 and stayed the vetting and approvals.
Wanga recently nominated Danish Onyango as the deputy governor to replace Joseph Oyugi Magwanga who resigned after what was termed as irreconcilable differences.
Wanga also nominated Elijah Obiny Dede, from Ndhiwa Constituency, as the CEC Member for Trade, Industry, Tourism, Marketing, and Co-operative Development.
Isaac Victor Ongiri, from Kasipul Constituency, will take charge of Governance, Administration, Communication, and Devolution. Ongiri has served as a county chief officer since 2023 and has previously worked in Kisii and Makueni counties.
Joash Aloo has been reassigned to lead the Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock Development docket, moving from Trade, Industry, Tourism, Marketing, and Co-operative Development.
In these nominations, Wanga was strategically setting up her 2027 campaign team and hoping that Onyango, Ongiri and Aloo would checkmate Magwanga in Kasipul and Kabondo Kasipul.
By transferring Dr Aloo to Agriculture, previously held by Magwanga, who is also a former Kasipul MP, and Dr Aloo also coming from Kasipul, Wanga’s game plan was to tame any dissident from the constituency.
With Ongiri also from Kasipul, Wanga is hoping to have a strong checkmate, but Dr Aloo is likely to contest for the area parliamentary seat against Boyd Were in 2027, complicating the delicate balancing act.
In Ndhiwa, the nomination of Dede is expected to add value to the team of County Secretary Prof Benard Muok and Assembly Majority Leader Richard Ogindo. The trio will be leading Wanga’s campaign in the area.
In his resignation statement, Magwanga said after deep reflection he decided to resign and will vie for the gubernatorial seat.
“After deep reflection and consultations with leaders, supporters, and my family, I have resolved to resign from the office of Deputy Governor with immediate effect,” he wrote then.
Wanga and Magwanga were forced into a political marriage by the late Raila Amolo Odinga, and the marriage broke with his demise.
“In 2022, I accepted the honor of serving as the running mate to Wanga after consultations presided over by the late former Prime Minister and party leader, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. Following our electoral victory, I was sworn in with a solemn commitment to serve the people of Homa Bay County faithfully, diligently, and in full obedience to the Constitution of Kenya,” he said.
Magwanga said Wanga has undermined him and the relationship has broken down irretrievably.
“Since assuming office, I have endeavored to discharge my mandate with integrity and loyalty to the people who elected us. However, beginning December 2025, I was denied access to my official office after the locks were changed without formal communication. I was consequently compelled to proceed on early annual leave under circumstances that were not voluntary. When my leave lapsed in January 2026, I remained locked out and unable to resume my official duties. While undertaking official duty in Nairobi, the official vehicle assigned to my office was repossessed without prior notice. The remaining county vehicle allocated to my office is unserviceable, and I have not been facilitated with fuel or logistical support necessary to perform my constitutional responsibilities.
These actions have rendered the Office of the Deputy Governor functionally inoperative and have made it impossible for me to serve effectively.
I firmly believe that public office is a sacred trust. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to earn a salary funded by the taxpayers of Homa Bay County while being deliberately prevented from performing the work they elected me to do. Leadership must be anchored in respect for institutions, constitutionalism, and mutual trust,” he wrote.
Magwanga recently told Wanga that she was a one-term governor and a failure.
He said Wanga has failed to manage the county and that the county was in shambles and incapable of paying contractors and securing basic necessities for the daily running of offices.
Magwanga told Wanga that she is an ungrateful person to the people who helped her become the governor in the 2022 general elections and that her time was up.
“Wanga is a one-term governor and her time is up. I sacrificed for you to be the governor but you are a very ungrateful person. Now it is the time for payback,” he said.
The two leaders have embarked on a campaign for the seat, with Magwanga holding town hall meetings.
