Former Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga has revealed that his main reason for resigning was to de-link himself from the political blame labelled against his former boss, Governor Gladys Wanga, on the delivery of development projects and key election promises.
Mr Magwanga, who announced that he will vie for the gubernatorial position in the county during the 2027 General Election, said he does not want to be associated with any wrongdoing that the county executive is being accused of.
“If there are problems in the county, we will all be blamed,” Mr Magwanga said.
“I need not attack a government that is serving. It is as if I will be blaming myself as well,” he said.
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
Ms Wanga, on Friday, accepted her deputy’s resignation, declaring the seat vacant, and citing irreconcilable differences and divided loyalty as the real reasons for the departure.
“The resignation letter cites 'persistent and irreconcilable differences.' It is, however, 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,” Ms Wanga said in a statement accepting the resignation.
He added: “The people of Homa Bay are entitled to full-time, undivided service from their executive leadership. It is also in public record that he opposed the ODM candidate in the Kasipul by-election. This decision raised legitimate concerns about the unity of purpose and commitment to our shared mandate.”
“I assure residents that County Government operations will proceed seamlessly. Service delivery remains uninterrupted, and the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy Governor will be addressed in accordance with the law,” said Ms Wanga.
He said he has been facing frustrations and cannot continue being in the same office where he is not wanted.
He was locked out of his office from December 1, 2025.
Joseph Oyugi Magwanga.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
Until recently, their relationship appeared to be fine, with both of them sharing the same platform during public events.
But beneath their smiles, there was a boiling conflict that was just waiting to explode.
The former Kasipul MP revealed that all was not well at the county executive, with him being targeted.
He said he started working with the county boss following consultations and negotiations presided over by the late Raila Odinga.
“I accepted the honour of serving as your running mate in the gubernatorial election. Upon the will of the people being expressed at the ballot, I was duly elected and subsequently sworn in as deputy governor, committing myself to serve the residents of Homa Bay County faithfully, diligently, and in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya,” he wrote in his resignation letter.
Late last year, after the death of Odinga, the two leaders who competed for the governor seat in 2022 started attacking each other in public.
Mr Magwanga told journalists that their differences came as a result of, among other things, failure by Ms Wanga to honour a 2022 pre-election agreement, which included sharing county appointment positions.
When the two leaders fell out, Mr Magwanga decided to campaign for Philip Aroko, who vied in the Kasipul parliamentary by-election on an independent ticket, while the governor, who is also the national chairperson of ODM, wanted leaders in the region to campaign for the party's candidate Boyd Were.
After the mini-poll, Mr Magwanga was shown the door from his position as agriculture executive.
His close friend, Dr Peter Ogolla, who headed the Lands and Public Works department, was also fired before the court reinstated him.
Homa Bay Woman Representative and ODM gubernatorial candidate Gladys Wanga (right) welcomes her running mate Oyugi Magwanga to speak to teachers from Kabondo Kasipul constituency on May 22, 2022.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
According to Mr Magwanga, he endeavoured at all times to discharge his constitutional mandate with integrity and loyalty to the electorate.
He said he worked based on the promises they articulated in their joint manifesto with the governor.
However, he said he can no longer continue to be in office.
“Persistent and irreconcilable differences regarding governance priorities, implementation of campaign pledges, accountability in public finance management, and the overall working environment have made it practically impossible for me to effectively discharge the responsibilities entrusted to me by the people,” Mr Magwanga wrote.
He even tried seeking help from the Employment and Labour Relations Court, but this did not help either.
"When my leave lapsed in January 2026, I remained locked out and unable to resume my official duties. While undertaking official duty in Nairobi, the official vehicle assigned to my office was repossessed without prior notice. The remaining county vehicle allocated to my office is unserviceable, and I have not been facilitated with fuel or logistical support necessary to perform my constitutional responsibilities," he wrote.
The former MP has been holding meetings as he strategises on how he will challenge Ms Wanga for a second time in 2027.
He alleged that the prevailing circumstances at the county executive have, regrettably, undermined the spirit of trust, unity and shared purpose necessary for effective service delivery to the people.
“I have also endured sustained frustrations and experiences that have constrained my ability to serve optimally and honourably,” Mr Magwanga said.
The letter was copied to the Speaker of the County Assembly of Homa Bay, Polycap Okombo, County Secretary Prof Bernard Muok and the Office of the Commission on Administrative Justice.
Vacancies in the office, which can be created by resignation, death, impeachment or incapacity, require the governor to nominate a new deputy within 14 days for approval by the County Assembly, as guided by the principles in Article 149 of the Constitution.
His resignation now gives him ample time to put his team together ahead of a tough political campaign in preparation for 2027.
Allies of Ms Wanga, including County Assembly Majority Leader Richard Ogindo and the county finance executive, have been piling pressure on the deputy governor to resign.
Mr Magwanga, in a press statement, said his resignation came after deep reflection and consultations with leaders, supporters and his family.
"Since assuming office, I have endeavoured to discharge my mandate with integrity and loyalty to the people who elected us. However, beginning December 2025, I was denied access to my official office after the locks were changed without formal communication. I was consequently compelled to proceed on early annual leave under circumstances that were not voluntary," he wrote.
