By Habil Onyango
Five months ago, the Homa Bay County Government moved nearly all its services to a new, modern County Headquarters located in the Arujo area, shifting from the main Central Business District.
The headquarters was officially opened by President William Ruto during his visit to the county, which is known for its vast potential.
The building serves as a central hub for county services, aiming to boost efficiency and transform Homa Bay into a city while facilitating hospitality development by relocating offices away from the lakefront.
However, Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, the Deputy Governor of Homa Bay, has refused to enter his assigned office.
Magwanga claims that the office has been “bewitched” by certain individuals within the County leadership and insists he will only occupy it if assigned a different one.
“I will not step into a bewitched office occupied by known individuals within the County leadership,” Magwanga stated.
His staff however continued to report to work until one day they found the office locked changed and they could not get access to it.
“When his staff reported for work, they found that the office lock had been changed, preventing access,” he said.
“My office is still closed, and my staff have no access to it. What kind of management is this? You cannot close a public office and deny the holder access.”
He expressed concern, stating, “This is a violation of the Constitution. But it is only a matter of time before the people of Homa Bay lock you out through the ballot. Your time is up, and you are going home.”
Magwanga has already declared his intention to run for the 2027 gubernatorial seat.
The rift between Magwanga and his boss, Governor Gladys Wanga, who also serves as the ODM National Chairperson, began during the Kasipul by-election.
In that election, Magwanga supported independent candidate Philip Aroko against the party’s chosen candidate, Boyd Were.
Following the election, Wanga relieved Magwanga of his duties as the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock Development just days after Were’s victory.
Calls for His Resignation
Several County leaders close to the Governor, including County Assembly Majority Leader Richard Ogindo, have been calling for Magwanga’s resignation as the 2027 general elections approach.
On January 16, 2026, Solomon Obiero, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, challenged Magwanga to resign if he intended to run for the county’s top seat in the upcoming elections. Obiero stated that Magwanga could not continue to serve and earn a salary as Deputy Governor while simultaneously opposing Governor Gladys Wanga.
“If Magwanga has decided to run against the Governor in the 2027 elections, let him resign first. He cannot earn a salary as Deputy Governor while also backbiting his boss,” Obiero stated.
“How can someone start campaigning early while still serving as Deputy Governor? Magwanga should leave the office and openly face us in the next general elections,” he added.
Obiero emphasized that the upcoming elections will focus on candidates’ past development achievements while in office.
“Magwanga should inform us about what he has accomplished for the people while serving as Homa Bay County Deputy Governor and as Agriculture CECM,” he urged.
For some time, Magwanga has publicly criticized Wanga’s re-election, claiming she has failed to serve the people of Homa Bay. He has voiced his intention to challenge her in the 2027 elections, asserting that Wanga has mismanaged the county, leaving it in disarray and unable to pay contractors or secure basic necessities for daily operations.
“Wanga is a one-term governor, and her time is up. I sacrificed to help you become governor, but you are ungrateful. Now it is time for payback,” he said.
Magwanga dismissed Obiero’s remarks, labeling him “a small fish” politically, and stated that he would not respond to what he considered baseless comments. He emphasized that he is still the County Deputy Governor, prepared to offer his services from anywhere but not from the “bewitched” office.
