Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has formally accepted the resignation of her deputy, Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, effective immediately from February 26, 2026. The move caps months of simmering tensions, highlighting deep divisions within the county’s leadership and raising questions about unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Magwanga, who ran alongside Wanga on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in the 2022 polls, cited “persistent and irreconcilable differences” in his resignation letter dated February 26. Sources reveal the rift escalated after Magwanga was allegedly locked out of his office following a leave that ended in January 2026, rendering him unable to fulfill his duties in agriculture and livestock. He even sought court intervention to reopen his workspace, underscoring the “unbearable frustrations” he faced.
Governor Wanga, in a statement released on February 27, confirmed receipt and acceptance of the letter, invoking Article 181(1) of the Kenyan Constitution, the County Governments Act of 2012, and Section 32C(b) of the same act. “It is imperative for the public to understand that a sustained preoccupation with future political ambitions increasingly compromised the collective focus required in the Office of the Deputy Governor,” Wanga noted, alluding to Magwanga’s alleged opposition to an ODM candidate in the Kasipul by-election. She emphasized the administration’s steadfast commitment to service delivery, assuring residents of uninterrupted operations and seamless filling of the vacancy per legal protocols.
The resignation, announced by Magwanga in an emotional speech on February 26, has sparked widespread reactions across Homa Bay and beyond. Social media buzzed with posts highlighting the fallout, with users noting the duo’s once-united front had crumbled under political ambitions and administrative clashes. “Mambo inaendelea kuchemka,” one observer quipped, capturing the boiling undercurrents.
Political analysts point to this as a symptom of broader challenges in devolved governance, where deputy roles often become flashpoints for power struggles. Magwanga’s exit leaves a void in a county grappling with development priorities, and eyes now turn to who Wanga might tap as a successor amid ODM’s push for party unity.
Despite the acrimony, Wanga extended thanks to her former deputy for his service, wishing him well in future endeavors. As Homa Bay navigates this leadership vacuum, residents demand transparency and accountability to keep the county on track.
