By Habil Onyango
The recent declaration by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga that she will defend her seat on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket has triggered a cocktail of political actions and reactions.
Her immediate former deputy, Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, has been hit by a reality check over the possibility of securing the ODM ticket and has now hinted that he could be sourcing a new vehicle.
Wanga is the current ODM National Chairperson, one of the key drivers in the party and seen as the force behind the party’s post-Raila Amolo Odinga transition politics.
Wanga recently presided over a successful ODM rally in Kisumu, an affront to the recent emerging political momentum of Linda Mwananchi, a faction in the party led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Magwanga, in a recent TV interview, said Wanga’s current position in the party would tilt the nomination exercise in her favour.
Magwanga asserted that his name will appear on the ballot regardless of the political party he represents.
“Come the 2027 general elections, my name will be on the ballot papers, regardless of the party I represent,” he said.
Magwanga has accused her of favouring select candidates to eliminate opposition within the county leadership.
He emphasised, “You cannot be both a player and the referee in a football match.”
“I want to tell the people of Homa Bay, come the 2027 general elections, vote for me as Magwanga, regardless of which party I am with,” he added.
He claimed the party may not be able to undertake free and fair nominations due to the invested interest Governor Wanga has in the primaries.
Magwanga claimed that Wanga already has preferred candidates for the various electoral seats in Nyanza, and this was causing discomfort among prospective aspirants and incumbents.
But Wanga, during the recent aspirants’ meeting in Kisumu, said the nomination exercise will be free and fair.
“We will conduct free and fair nominations. Do not come to me to help you get a certificate. Go to the people and seek their mandate. I do not have the people,” she said.
Magwanga demanded that Wanga must resign or be removed from the party leadership to ensure free and transparent nomination.
He said if the party fails to act on his demand, then he will be left with no alternative but to seek a new political vehicle to unseat his former boss.
“Wanga must resign, or the party must act to remove her from her position to ensure a fair playing field for all aspirants, free from external influence.”
Wanga was recently confirmed as the National Party Chairperson during the Special Delegates Conference held in Nairobi.
She cautioned those considering bribery that they will ultimately face the voters, who will decide who appears on the ballot.
Wanga expressed her willingness to compete against any opponent during the party primaries, even as she seeks re-election.
“Our party will conduct free, fair, and transparent primaries. I am prepared to face any aspirant interested in the Homa Bay Governor seat. If I lose, I will accept that,” she stated.
In 2017, Magwanga contested the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat as an independent candidate after the ODM party opted to give a direct ticket to the incumbent, Mr Cyprian Awiti, following chaotic nominations.
2022 ODM ticket
In the 2022 general elections, the ODM leadership under the late Raila prevailed upon several aspirants to support the Wanga-Magwanga ticket.
Raila prevailed upon Magwanga to be Wanga’s deputy and agreed on a power arrangement between the two leaders.
Former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero disagreed with Raila’s move and opted to run against the Wanga-Magwanga joint ticket as an independent candidate.
Kidero lost the gubernatorial election and the election petition against Wanga at the High Court.
Fallout
Wanga and Magwanga fell out, and the marriage became irretrievably broken after the latter was locked out of his office.
Magwanga resigned from his position in February, citing persistent and irreconcilable differences with Wanga.
Magwanga recently told Wanga that she was a one-term governor and a failure.
He claimed Wanga has failed to manage the county, that the county was in shambles and incapable of paying contractors or 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 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 time for payback,” he said.
Mbadi factor
Currently, Wanga has the support of Finance and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who has announced that he will not run for the seat in the next general elections.
Mbadi had previously shown interest in the county’s top position but withdrew in support of Wanga, who received a direct party ticket during the last general elections.
The Kasipul by-election explosion
The battle between Wanga and Magwanga exploded during the Kasipul by-election, where the former campaigned for ODM candidate Boyd Were, who defeated independent candidate Philip Aroko.
Last year, Wanga admitted a split in her government and promised to crack the whip, and eventually did.
At a funeral in Homa Bay, Wanga said she was adequately prepared to face her opponents for the gubernatorial seat in 2027, in what she termed as a battle royal.
Who will have the last laugh between Wanga and Magwanga, or will a third force carry the day?
