Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga is bracing for what promises to be one of the most bruising re-election campaigns of her career after her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, launched a “one-term” crusade against her.
Mr Magwanga has publicly declared that he will be among those seeking to block Ms Wanga’s re-election in the 2027 General Election. In forthright remarks, the deputy governor said he would do everything within his power to ensure that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairperson does not return to office, accusing her of riding on the influence of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to ascend to power and of sidelining some allies who helped her rise.
Joseph Oyugi Magwanga.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
The once-functional relationship between the governor and her deputy has since deteriorated sharply. Mr Magwanga has vowed that the fallout will not be cosmetic or temporary, but a defining political battle aimed at denying his boss a second term.
Ms Wanga is expected to defend her seat as Homa Bay governor in the next election. Although she has been touted in some quarters as a possible running mate to President William Ruto in future campaigns, she has consistently maintained that her priority is to serve Homa Bay for two full terms to deliver on her development agenda.
“I will be the governor of Homa Bay for two terms. This can only be possible if I work for the people. My administration has several ongoing projects which I am committed to finishing so that they help the people of this region,” she said at a past event.
That ambition now faces formidable resistance. Mr Magwanga has indicated that he intends to rally like-minded leaders and residents to challenge her leadership. Other aspirants who tested the waters in the last election are also reportedly preparing a comeback, buoyed by the belief that Mr Odinga’s once decisive grip on the Lake Region vote is no longer as dominant as it was.
In a video that has circulated widely online, the deputy governor is heard bluntly stating that Ms Wanga should not be re-elected. He accuses her of making serious mistakes in office and insists that she does not deserve a second chance.
Mr Magwanga also claims that politicians close to the governor are plotting to edge him out as her running mate ahead of 2027.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her deputy Oyugi Magwanga address journalists at the county headquarters on September 12, 2022.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
“I know of a plan by allies of the governor who want me to stay put, but are planning to replace me in 2027. It is them who started the war. I will also engage them,” he said. The deputy governor joined forces with Ms Wanga ahead of the 2022 election after Mr Odinga brokered a truce between them. At the time, both were eyeing the gubernatorial seat. Several aspirants, including Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, later stepped down in favour of Ms Wanga.
Three years into their joint administration, Mr Magwanga says the alliance has been buffeted by headwinds, alleging that the governor failed to honour key pre-election agreements. Late last year, he openly defied the ODM chairperson by campaigning for Philip Aroko in the Kasipul parliamentary by-election, contrary to Ms Wanga’s call for party members to support Boyd Were.
Political observers say the fallout could prompt Ms Wanga to select a different running mate should she seek re-election. For his part, Mr Magwanga has begun crafting strategies aimed at unseating his boss—either to enhance his own prospects or to secure a place in the next administration.
“I will not sit and relax when some people are planning to replace me as deputy governor,” he said.
Mr Magwanga maintains that he only agreed to work with Ms Wanga after sustained persuasion from Mr Odinga, whom he describes as his political mentor.
“He would send people to talk to me so that I could work with Wanga. We first disagreed but later agreed to hold talks because he was my political senior,” the former Kasipul MP said.
He further alleged that the talks were initiated at Ms Wanga’s behest, claiming she enlisted influential figures to help her clinch the governor’s seat.
“She pleaded with them to help her get the governor's seat. It is the people who later engaged Raila to talk to me so that I could support her,” he said.
Mr Magwanga insists he was among the leading contenders in the 2022 governor race, citing opinion polls that he says placed him ahead of rivals. He argues that his popularity was a key factor in Ms Wanga’s victory and that she worked hard to bring them together as a joint ticket.
According to him, Ms Wanga also persuaded influential supporters by promising that her leadership would advance the two-thirds gender rule. He did not disclose whether he intends to vie for the governor’s seat himself or to back another aspirant.
Ms Wanga has so far remained silent on the growing rift. Analysts say that, heading into 2027, she may increasingly be judged on her personal development record rather than party loyalty alone. The rivalry is not new.
After serving as Kasipul MP until 2017, Mr Magwanga contested the governor’s seat but lost to Cyprian Awiti. Ms Wanga, then the Homa Bay woman representative, actively campaigned against him. She also opposed him in the 2022 race until Mr Odinga reconciled them.
Their rivalry now appears set to resurface with renewed intensity. Mr Magwanga has been unable to access his office since December last year after it was locked, and he was stripped of ministerial duties, while an ally was dismissed from the county cabinet.
Residents fear the standoff could stall development. Homa Bay Bunge la Wenye Nchi leader Walter Opiyo warned that political instability would undermine economic growth.
“The county cannot witness any significant economic growth when there is no political stability,” he said, cautioning that it was still too early for leaders to be scrambling for 2027 votes.
He added that the dispute could divide residents whose supporters had united when the two leaders teamed up.
