Wanga allies plot Magwanga ouster for defying party during mini-poll

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her deputy Oyugi Magwanga in a past event. (James Omoro, Standard)

A row is brewing between Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, following Magwanga’s decision to openly oppose ODM’s MP-elect, Boyd Were.

Magwanga staged an anti-Boyd campaign in Kasipul and threw his weight behind independent candidate Phillip Aroko. Were won Thursday’s by-election with 16,819 votes against Aroko’s 8,476.

Moments after Were was declared the winner, Wanga made her stance clear, saying she would not tolerate individuals who oppose her administration. Speaking at a burial, a visibly irritated Wanga told mourners that one could not work for a government they were undermining.

“Getting government is not easy. I campaigned massively to be the governor of Homa Bay. If I have invited you to work with me, you must work with honesty, but if you feel the administration is bad, then you must resign and let someone else take up the role,” she said.

Although she did not mention names, observers believe her remarks targeted her deputy and other county officials who supported candidates other than ODM’s.

During the campaign period, Magwanga, who served as Kasipul’s first MP, argued that residents deserved an MP of their choice rather than one imposed by individuals or a political party. He also noted that Aroko had previously been an ODM member before running as an independent.

Speaking at Agoro Sare Primary School during the by-election, Magwanga downplayed suggestions that the contest would damage his relationship with Wanga. He insisted that the election was a passing event and that their working relationship would remain intact. “As far as I am concerned, we are going to resume work together after this election to ensure the people of Homa Bay get the services they deserve. I believe the relationship will be good unless someone else interferes with it,” he said.

However, The Standard has established that Wanga’s allies are considering a plan to impeach Magwanga. Evance Ndege, ODM Chairman in Kasipul, confirmed that discussions were underway. He accused Magwanga of violating the ODM constitution by campaigning against the party’s candidate.

“As ODM officials, we are not going to rest until we dispense with this matter. Magwanga erred by supporting an independent candidate,” Ndege said, adding that the deputy governor should have resigned before campaigning for Aroko. “Our second game plan is impeachment. Let the deputy governor resign, but we are going to compel our MCAs who are the dominant in the county assembly to impeach him if he declines to resign,” Ndege said.

ODM Chairman in Karachuonyo, George Maigo, also criticised Magwanga, accusing him of fighting the party that sponsored him. Maigo argued that Magwanga should either have supported the ODM candidate or withdrawn from active campaigning. “I am comparing our deputy governor to a man biting the hand that is feeding him. Let him resign,” Maigo said. He warned that had Aroko won, ODM would have been weakened in Kasipul, saying Magwanga’s actions were aimed at undermining the party.

The Kasipul by-election was widely seen as a litmus test for both ODM and Governor Wanga. ODM supporters across Nyanza closely monitored the contest to gauge Wanga’s political influence and leadership capacity within the party.

Political analysts argue that Were’s victory has enhanced Wanga’s political profile. High Court advocate Samuel Ochillo said the win highlighted her strength in political mobilisation and would help her fend off challengers in the 2027 elections. “Wanga has shown that she is a force to reckon with in defending her seat in 2027. Any attempts to oust her may be a pipe dream,” he said.

Ochillo, however, noted that ODM’s support in Kasipul appeared to be weakening, given the margin of victory. “Wanga has shown she can carry our vision as the people of Nyanza. She has demonstrated the qualities of a leader who can achieve greatly if given the opportunity,” Political analyst and lawyer Kennedy Ondiek said.