By Hope Barbra
Buoyed by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) victories in the just-concluded three by-elections in Kasipul, Ugunja, and Magarini constituencies, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has declared she is ready to face off in a grueling battle with her opponents for the gubernatorial race.
Wanga also admitted there is a split in her government and promised to crack the whip on those who do not want to work but speak ill of her administration despite working for her.
Speaking at a funeral in Homa Bay, Wanga said she is adequately prepared to face her opponents for the gubernatorial seat in 2027, in what she termed a battle royale.
“Kom mar governor abedie higni apar. Kendo ng’ama obiro ni dwa dware odhi romo gin yar Wangaya ka. Athuon ka adhi kendo ka aduogo.”
(“I will serve my two terms as governor. Whoever wants to challenge me will meet the daughter of Wangaya. I am brave and not a coward,” she said.)
Wanga promised her opponents a battle of titans in the 2027 gubernatorial election, saying that even if she loses, the victor will appreciate her might.
“Wadwa lawore e dier pap kaye kweli. Ma be ka en wuoyi oloyo to bende owinjo ndi.”
(“It will be a fierce battle in the campaigns. If he is a man and he defeats me, it will not be a walk in the park,” she said.)
Wanga wondered why, despite her development projects, there was always a plot against women, yet a former governor who held the position and did not perform was never criticized or plotted against.
“Mine ocha malich, to chuo kata ka ne timo nono to onge ng’ama wuoye. Miyo kata tiyo to bura okinyi kod odichieng. Dhako ni oha kure ok owuog Homa Bay.”
(“Women are greatly downtrodden. Men, even when they fail, nobody plots against them. For women, meetings are held day and night. Some even ask if I am from Homa Bay, yet they know I’ve been married here for 25 years,” she said.)
Wanga is likely to face off with her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, in the race, and the political marriage between them has collapsed. The late Raila Odinga prevailed upon Magwanga to become Wanga’s running mate in the last general election.
Magwanga now has his eyes set on the gubernatorial seat and did not support Wanga and ODM candidate Boyd Were in the Kasipul by-election. He instead supported Independent candidate Philip Aroko, who lost to Boyd.
Wanga admitted that some of the people she employed in her government were disloyal and said she will soon crack the whip.
“Nyocha amiyo jo Kanyada tich, to jo Kanyada ma dwaro tich ema nyalo tiyo.
Ng’ato ok nyal tiyo e sirkandi to owuoyo marach e wi sirkandi. Nikech sirkal manyo tek. Ne awuotho e piny ka malich ka asedo ka nyamarende kendo agonyo ma abarora ndasi.
Mondo eka abed governor ma Homa Bay.”
(“I employed people from Kanyada. Only those from Kanyada who want to work will work with me. Someone cannot work in your government and still speak ill of it. It was a big struggle for me to become governor,” she said.)
Wanga asked those unhappy with her administration to pack and go so she can bring in new people.
“To chieng’ ma owinjo ni sirkal rach ma ok onyal tiye, to ogwe tawo oweyo to ja-Kanyada machielo obed. Mano ekaka gini timore. Koso jo Kanyada orumo ma nyalo tiyo.”
(“If they are not happy with the government, let them resign so we bring in other Kanyada people who can work,” she said.)
Wanga said she will sack those who do not want to work in her government and stated she has adopted a new mentality.
“Omiyo an be koro awuok mager, adwaro pidho rasta sani. Ng’ama ok dwa tich inje. Ng’ama dwaro tiyo ne jopiny ndani. Ng’ama dwaro pesa ma ikawo here and there inje.
Ng’ama oyie ni nyalo tiyo ne jopiny kod misara michule cha ndani.”
(“I will no longer tolerate any insubordination. I have a new mentality now. If you want to work, good. If you don’t, you face the boot. I will not allow corruption in my government,” she said.)
The ODM national chairperson said she will no longer tolerate any misbehavior in her government and may request new officers.
“Mano e mbaka ma an adwa goyo koro. Kama achopie ni.
Ka anyisou ni miya uru joma oyie tich, utim kamano. Umiya joma oyie tich. Wati mondo water Homa Bay mbele.”
(“That is the stand I have taken now. If I ask you to give me new people willing to work, then do so. We must move Homa Bay forward,” she said.)
In the curtain raiser for the Homa Bay gubernatorial race, Wanga came out victorious, but she now has to face a combined force ahead of the 2027 elections.
