By Habil Onyango
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parliamentary deputy chief whip Millie Odhiambo has come to the defense of Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga over criticism of her development record.
Odhiambo dismissed critics as people motivated by petty jealousy and bitterness over a woman’s leadership and success.
She said Wanga has made significant strides in improving the lives of Homa Bay residents and transforming the county’s image.
Millie, who is also the Suba North MP, asked Wanga to disregard the negative criticism from a few individuals who, she claims, oppose women in leadership roles.
“Forget about the noise orchestrated by a few individuals who sat in a room and concluded that a woman should not continue receiving credit for changing lives and transforming the face of Homa Bay County,” she said.
But a community-based organization has demanded transparency and accountability on the ward-based development fund.
In a petition to the governor, Interface Community Help Desk wrote:
“We, the undersigned Human Rights Defenders working within Homa Bay County and Kenya at large, write to raise serious concerns regarding the Ward-Based Development Fund (WBDF) allocations amounting to Ksh. 26,500,000 per ward, totaling Ksh. 1,060,000,000 annually across 40 wards in Homa Bay County.
According to the county budget framework, the funds were to be disbursed and utilized in the following manner per ward:
- Department of Roads – Ksh. 10,000,000 (road works)
- Department of Education – Ksh. 4,000,000 (Ondoa Kaunda initiative)
- Department of Water – Ksh. 3,500,000 (drilled and solar-equipped boreholes)
- Department of Agriculture – Ksh. 1,000,000 (seeds for farmers)
- Department of Health – Ksh. 4,000,000
- Department of Trade – Ksh. 1,000,000 (upgrading markets)
- Department of Sports – Ksh. 1,000,000 (upgrading playgrounds)
- Department of Trade – Ksh. 500,000 (two boda sheds per ward)
- Department of Energy & Mining – Ksh. 500,000 (two solar lights in markets)
- Department of Energy & Mining – Ksh. 1,000,000 (transformers per ward)
This allocation adds up to Ksh. 26,500,000 per ward, meant to directly benefit citizens across all 40 wards.
Our Observations:
- In FY 2023/2024, only Ksh. 19,000,000 per ward was reportedly spent. However, the balance of Ksh. 7,500,000 per ward (Ksh. 300,000,000 countywide) remains unaccounted for.
- In FY 2024/2025, only the following projects were procured:
- Seeds: Ksh. 1,000,000 per ward = Ksh. 40,000,000 countywide
- Roads: Ksh. 10,000,000 per ward = Ksh. 400,000,000 countywide
Leaving a balance of over Ksh. 600,000,000 unutilized and unexplained.
- The Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury has publicly stated that all allocations to the 47 counties were released as per their approved budgets.
Our Demand:
We hereby call upon the County Government of Homa Bay to:
- Publicly disclose and publish a comprehensive report on the utilization of the WBDF for the financial years 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025, ward by ward and department by department.
- Explain the whereabouts of the unspent funds, amounting to more than Ksh. 900,000,000, including Ksh. 300 million from FY 2023/2024 and over Ksh. 600 million from FY 2024/2025.
- Ensure that all projects earmarked under WBDF are implemented in full and with transparency, as they were budgeted for and financed by taxpayers.
- Subject the entire WBDF expenditure to an independent audit for public accountability,” wrote Evans Gor, the chairperson.
Millie took issue with what she termed a systematic online attack intended to distract Wanga from discharging her responsibilities, with the goal of returning Homa Bay to its wanting state a decade ago.
“These attacks are not about development or service delivery; they stem from fear, jealousy, and a refusal to accept that real change is occurring under a woman’s leadership,” she said.
Millie reiterated that this resistance often comes from those who never believed a woman could lead effectively.
“Every day, Governor Wanga continues to prove them wrong with bold projects and initiatives that uplift the people of Homa Bay,” she said.
She encouraged the governor to focus on her service rather than respond to unfounded criticisms.
“On the ground, the majority of Homa Bay residents still support her GENOWA (our hope) transportation agenda and her broader vision for development,” Millie said.
“In health, despite challenges, Governor Wanga has made significant progress in improving services and laying strong foundations for better healthcare delivery,” she defended the governor.
“The people also see improvements in roads, new classrooms, and opportunities that continue to enhance their lives,” she said.
Governor Wanga has defended her development record and the appointments she made, asserting that nearly half of the county appointments have gone to individuals from Karachuonyo, including her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, who also serves as the Agriculture Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM). Other appointees from the region include Joash Aloo (Trade), Dannish Onyango (Roads), Solomon Obiero (Finance), Elijah Munga (Sports), and the Speaker of the County Assembly, Polycarp Okombo, among others.
