By Team
The besieged Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga is on the receiving end as, for the second day running, protests have spread from Kisumu to Siaya and Migori Counties.
While Homa Bay County remained restive and could explode at any time, protests against Wanga have continued from very unlikely quarters — Kisumu, Siaya, and Migori counties.
Once a darling of the ODM party leader, the late Raila Odinga, Wanga is currently becoming a pariah and isolated in a well-refined and defined political matrix.
The protests were triggered by the alleged unnecessary fight by Wanga against Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo.
Omollo, through his foundation, has been supporting widows throughout Nyanza, and today, widows from Siaya took to the streets.
A widow, Sarah Atieno, said: “Awuok Siaya County. Awuoyo kaka chi liel. Akwedo gima Gladys Wanga wacho kuom jatendwa. Ok wabwar oyuma. Ok lit ma wawinjo saa ma wapuodho nyithindo ka chuowa nitiere e loo. Jatelo en ng’ama gedo ne mond liete kod nyithindo kiye. Waonge gi wach.”
(“I come from Siaya. I am a widow, and I condemn what Gladys Wanga allegedly said about our leader. We do not want jokes. She doesn’t know the pain we go through to educate orphans. Omollo has been helping widows and orphans.”)
In Migori, similar protests were witnessed, with the protestors asking Wanga to respect fellow leaders and avoid alleged infighting for the sake of unity in the community.
Attempts to reach Wanga for comment were futile as she did not answer our calls.
Yesterday, 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 Wanga.
The demonstrators, carrying placards and twigs, took to the streets accusing Wanga of waging 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 pm demo caught several residents and travelers unawares 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 technocrats in government but should instead concentrate on development.
Deputy President Prof. Kindiki Kithure and Omollo campaigned for Were in Sikri during an empowerment drive in the area.
Kisumu is the political barometer of Nyanza and influences the politics of four counties in the region — Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori and Kisumu.
On Monday, Wanga cracked the whip by locking her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, out of his office and also relieving 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 for 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 Governments Act, 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 had been 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 events 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.
