By Habil Onyango
The fallout between Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her key ally, former Speaker and political adviser Julius Gaya, has sparked a political storm in the county.
While Gaya has gained support from greater Rachuonyo and parts of the county over his criticism of the Governor for failing to deliver on her campaign pledge, a section of Members of County Assembly have accused Gaya of bitterness and witch-hunt.
Gaya, at the weekend, apologised to the electorate for having lied to them during the campaigns and said the county government has failed to deliver on the development agenda.
“I am sorry that we lied to you to vote us. You elected Governor Wanga and as an insider I can confirm we have no development projects to show for it.
It is sad that the immediate Governor Cyprian Awiti performed better than the current one.
It is time we say the truth and rescue the county from the collapse. We have no development to show for the over Sh13 billion disbursed to the county,” he said.
But Assembly Majority Leader Richard Ogindo dismissed Gaya’s claims, saying he should be the last person to criticise Wanga’s government because the Governor prevailed on the MCAs to elect him even when he didn’t qualify.
During a recent funeral service in the Karachuonyo Constituency, Gaya expressed his disappointment with Governor Wanga’s administration and apologised to residents for convincing them to support her in the last general elections.
He stated, “Through my influence, you accepted and voted for Wanga as the next governor. However, I want to apologise for misleading you; she has completely failed to honour the promises she made during the campaigns.”
Gaya further asked for forgiveness, noting, “We made a mistake by electing Wanga as governor. We should not have elected a ‘young lady’ to lead us. There will come a time when we will decide what to do in the 2027 general elections.”
The Rachuonyo region comprises the constituencies of Karachuonyo, Kasipul, and Kabondo Kasipul.
But Ogindo described Gaya’s comments as “reckless” and “baseless.”
Ogindo pointed out that Gaya has benefited politically under Wanga’s leadership, having served as the Assembly Speaker before resigning.
He criticised Gaya for belittling the governor by referring to her as a “young lady,” stating, “The young lady gave you an opportunity to serve as the Assembly Speaker and later as her political adviser.”
After stepping down from the Speaker position, Gaya was appointed as the governor’s political adviser, a position he ultimately left.
“Let us respect women in leadership. Some people are trying to belittle her, failing to recognise the development she has brought to the people of Homa Bay,” Ogindo said.
He also noted that Gaya has no standing to dictate directions for the people of Karachuonyo in the upcoming elections. Ogindo reminded Gaya that the very governor he is criticising is the same person who allowed him to serve as Speaker after Gaya failed to produce his academic credentials for nomination to the County Executive Committee for the Trade position.
George Maigo, the ODM Karachuonyo branch chairman, condemned Gaya’s remarks about Wanga’s performance as unfortunate.
He emphasised that the accomplishments of Wanga’s administration over the past three years cannot be equated with the ten years of the previous regime led by Governor Cyprian Awiti, during which Gaya served as an MCA.
“I urge Gaya to refrain from making comments that portray the people of Karachuonyo as opposing Wanga’s leadership. Wanga was elected by the people, and her administration is for the people, by the people, and centred on their needs,” Maigo stated.
He dismissed Gaya as a spokesperson for Karachuonyo, calling him just a voter like any other resident of the region.
MCA Colela Obuya from Wang’chieng cautioned Gaya to stop disparaging the governor by referring to her as a “young lady,” reminding him that there are other leaders in significant positions who are younger than Wanga, such as Embakasi MP Babu Owino, who is eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial position, and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
“We will not allow anyone to intimidate the governor simply because she is a woman. We, the people of Karachuonyo, will continue to support her and are grateful for the projects she has initiated in our wards,” Obuya declared.
Both Maigo and Obuya spoke during the Karachuonyo ODM leaders’ monthly meeting in Kibiri Ward, warning that no one from the region has the authority to direct voters ahead of the 2027 general elections except the party.
In response, Gaya warned those criticising him, stating on his Facebook account, “I have not yet started the war with the governor, yet you all are making noise.”
Governor Wanga has previously defended her record of development and appointments to the people of Karachuonyo, who she claims voted for her in a landslide victory.
She noted 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 CECMs Joash Aloo (Trade), Dannish Onyango (Roads), Solomon Obiero (Finance), Elijah Munga (Sports), and the Speaker of the County Assembly, Polycap Okombo, among others.
