Political alignments in Homa Bay County are shifting after Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga declared his intention to vie for the gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.
Magwanga’s declaration has heightened political temperatures in the county, rekindling the intense rivalry between him and Governor Gladys Wanga that preceded the 2022 elections before a truce was brokered by the late ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a press conference in Kasipul, the Deputy Governor exuded confidence that he would defeat the incumbent at the ballot.
“I know Wanga enjoys the benefits of incumbency but let her know that she is going to find me on the ballot in 2027. This is the time for the people of Homa Bay to get a fresh start,” Magwanga said.
He accused the Governor of using him to ascend to power in 2022, claiming that he agreed to be her running mate after persuasion by Odinga on the understanding that they would work together with mutual respect.
“She went pleading with Raila to persuade me to be her running mate. I accepted and we were elected together. But it is unfortunate that today she feels Magwanga is useless. I will not accept to be used and dumped,” he said.
Magwanga alleged that the Governor violated the agreement brokered by Odinga and began sidelining him, culminating in the closure of his office on December 1 last year.
“We were elected together in 2022 and our term has not ended, yet she has closed my office. This means our political marriage has come to an end. Our next convergence point is the ballot,” he stated.
He further claimed that attempts to resolve their differences through text messages and formal letters were unsuccessful.
“The difficulties I have experienced under her leadership show there is nothing good we can do in this county under her leadership,” he added.
Magwanga, a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), said he was ready to face any challenger in the party primaries and the general election.
He criticised some ODM leaders pushing for zoning arrangements under a reported ODM–UDA cooperation framework, arguing that zoning could shield weak candidates from fair competition.
“I support President William Ruto as well as our party leader Oburu Oginga, but I oppose the idea of zoning. All candidates should compete fairly to allow the will of the people to prevail in 2027,” Magwanga said.
The strained relationship between the Governor and her deputy has played out publicly in recent months. During the Devolution Conference held in Homa Bay Town in August last year, Magwanga was not recognised during official proceedings and was later acknowledged by Council of Governors Chairman Mohamed Abdulahi.
The political rift was also evident during the recent Kasipul parliamentary by-election, where Magwanga supported independent candidate Philip Aroko, while Wanga backed ODM candidate Boyd Were, who won the seat.
On December 1, Governor Wanga relieved Magwanga of his duties as County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, and his office was locked on the same day.
Magwanga has since moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court, accusing the Governor of violating his constitutional rights as Deputy Governor and seeking legal redress.
By Davis Langat
