When Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga publicly rallied support for a candidate opposing Governor Gladys Wanga’s preferred choice during the Kasipul by-election campaigns, many observers concluded that his political career was over.
What the public did not know, however, were the years of turmoil leading up to that moment.
In an interview with the Daily Nation , Mr Magwanga said his tenure has been marred by frustration, infighting, backstabbing, sabotage and persistent humiliation.
Behind his ever-smiling demeanor, Mr Magwanga says he has endured months of quiet suffering — an unexpected burden for a man of his stature.
Since assuming office, alongside Governor Wanga three years ago, Mr Magwanga kept hidden a series of indignities he now claims were designed to diminish him politically.
Until recently, he was regarded as one of the most loyal deputies in the country. To the public eye, Mr Magwanga’s working relationship with Governor Wanga seemed seamless.
But the calm exterior masked tension that has now boiled over as the country watches how they navigate their political differences ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Unlike the public fallout between Siaya Governor James Orengo and his deputy, William Oduol, shortly after the 2022 general election, Homa Bay’s leadership maintained a veneer of unity.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her deputy Oyugi Magwanga.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
Social media images of the governor and her deputy during executive meetings projected cohesion, which Mr Magwanga now calls “mere PR.”
For months, he says he chose humility and patience to allow the county’s development agenda to proceed. But his patience ran out, and he decided to speak out, insisting that all has not been well between him and the governor.
According to Mr Magwanga, the rift began immediately after Ms Wanga appointed her executive committee members following her swearing-in.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had brokered a pre-election power-sharing agreement between the two leaders, a pact that would guide the county’s management.
At the time, both leaders were eyeing the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat, alongside other contenders, including former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero and former county secretary Isaiah Ogwe.
Eventually, Ms Wanga received the ODM ticket and chose Mr Magwanga as her running mate under the Genowa en dongruok (Our hope is development) slogan.
ODM chairperson, Gladys Wanga.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“We agreed to share appointments on a 60–40 basis. I would get 40 per cent of the slots. The late Prime Minister recommended that, as deputy governor, I should have a portfolio, and I chose the agriculture and livestock department,” Mr Magwanga said.
The county government has 10 departments, each led by an executive committee member.
Mr Magwanga says he entered office with good intentions but accuses Ms Wanga of violating their pre-election pact by appointing only one of his allies, Dr Peter Ogolla, to the Lands department rather than the agreed four.
“I did my job to the best of my ability in agriculture. Farmers and MCAs can confirm this. Yet I was relieved of my duties, and Dr Ogolla replaced without any explanation,” he said.
Despite public appearances of authority, Mr Magwanga says his official vehicle is barely roadworthy and with no budget for his office, he regularly pays for repairs and fuel out of pocket.
He says staff in his office are demoralised, and the strained relationship with the governor trickles down to their teams. He also claims the two offices interact minimally and regard each other as “aliens.”
“You cannot operate without a budget and still be expected to perform. At one point, drawers in my office were broken into and no one took responsibility. Footage from CCTV cameras made it even more suspicious,” he said.
Last week, his office at the newly constructed county headquarters in Arujo was locked and he could not access the premises.
The deputy governor also claims goons had been hired to attack him and prevent him from accessing his office.
“The locks were changed, and my staff locked out. I wrote a protest letter but received no response,” he said adding that he doesn’t intend to report back to the office for insecurity reasons.
Beyond administrative issues, Mr Magwanga also cited public disrespect, including an incident during the 2025 Devolution Conference, when Governor Wanga acknowledged her husband and the County Assembly Majority Leader but not him, yet he was seated in the front row.
Mr Magwanga also claims his phones and those of his staff are being tracked and that a drone was sent to his home during the Kasipul by-election.
In May, he reported an attempt at his life as he approached the gate of his home.
The political fallout peaked during the Kasipul by-election, when Mr Magwanga defied Governor Wanga’s directive that he supports ODM candidate Boyd Were.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga (background, left) and her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga (background, right). Foreground: Kasipul by-election candidates Boyd Were (left) and Philip Aroko.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
He instead back independent candidate Philip Aroko. He justified his position with grievances over violence that marred ODM’s nomination process.
He also cited political difference with the late area MP, Ong’ondo Were, who he claims openly opposed him.
“ODM meetings were held at the late MP’s home, and I was never invited. The governor also did not involve me in campaigning for the party candidate. The nominations were micromanaged, which made the process unfair,” he said.
For three years, Mr Magwanga says, he tried to work harmoniously with the governor, sharing his manifesto and supporting joint implementation. But that trust eroded, and with it, the unity.
“I have accorded the respect that she deserves as my boss, despite being older than her. That is why the former Prime Minister urged us to work together. By now we could have taken this county very far,” he said.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga (left) addresses ODM supporters after Boyd Were (centre) was declared the winner of the Kasipul parliamentary by-election on Nvemebr 28, 2025.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
Mr Magwanga also criticized the county administration for engaging in PR and delivering little beyond the projects initiated by former Governor Cyprian Awiti, an example being the Kigoto maize mill and the stadium.
He claims some of Governor Wanga’s own projects, like the county aggregation and industrial park at Riwa, have stalled.
“The economy of Homa Bay should be further ahead. Many businesses have closed, cash flow is low, pending bills remain unpaid, and contractors are facing auction,” he said.
Mr Magwanga challenged Governor Wanga to streamline her administration and avoid using funerals and public gatherings as platforms for declarations.
“It is the electorate who will choose their next governor. She (Wanga) is being fronted for the deputy presidency. I’m the most suitable person to lead this,” Mr Magwanga said.
