Gladys Wanga: William Ruto's spanner girl

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. [File, Standard]

ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga is a woman on a mission. She is determined to ensure that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) works with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to secure President William Ruto's re-election in next year's General Election.

In her mission, the Homa Bay Governor has at times appeared uncompromising, showing little regard for the potential repercussions her approach may have on Raila Odinga's 20-year-old party. According to Wanga, any member opposed to a deal between ODM and the President should leave the party.

"ODM will, in 2027, either form the government or be part of a coalition government," Wanga has repeatedly stated.

Political pundits interpret this to mean that President Ruto could either seek re-election on an ODM ticket or run as a joint coalition candidate backed by the two parties.

Wanga has unsettled her critics by spearheading an ambitious campaign to bolster party leader Oburu Oginga's faction within ODM, while simultaneously building momentum for President Ruto's re-election bid.

However, the move is fraught with suspicion and simmering resentment among sections of ODM supporters who believe the governor is pursuing personal political ambitions at the expense of the party's legacy.

Party insiders claim she is prepared to do whatever it takes to position herself as the President's chief mobiliser in the Nyanza region. They further allege that she is a key force behind Oburu and among a small circle influencing his political decisions, some of which have attracted criticism from loyal party supporters.

Observers suggest that Wanga may be eyeing a higher office beyond ODM politics, with the deputy presidency said to top her ambitions.

The party has previously indicated that it would seek the position - currently held by Kithure Kindiki - in pre-election negotiations with Ruto's UDA.

Fellow governors

The same seat is reportedly coveted by Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho, should he successfully mobilise the Coast region in support of Ruto next year.

Like several other leaders from the Luo community, Wanga is also be positioning herself as a potential successor to Raila as the region's political kingpin. Others viewed as possible heirs to Raila's position in Nyanza include Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.

Wanga also appears to be charting a different course from her fellow Nyanza governors, particularly James Orengo (Siaya) and Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu), who have expressed concern that a partnership with UDA could weaken ODM.

Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko has remained largely non-committal in the unfolding political manoeuvres.

Beneath Wanga's push, however, are allegations that she is attempting to sideline perceived rivals believed to be aligned with competing ODM factions.

These claims escalated last week when her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, resigned, citing frustrations with her leadership. Four Members of County Assembly (MCAs) also attributed their political woes to ODM leadership wrangles, claiming they were removed from committees for associating with PS Omollo.

Wanga has dismissed Magwanga's allegations, saying she had no role in his decision to resign.

"Under my leadership, the County Government continues to uphold accountability, expand development across all wards and maintain institutional stability," she said.

In recent weeks, Wanga has intensified her political activities. Hardly a day passes without her addressing a rally, often travelling by helicopter from one engagement to another.

Over the past few months, she has spearheaded campaigns for the Linda Ground initiatives across the Coast, Nyanza and Nairobi. However, questions persist over the funding of the costly helicopter tours, which sometimes span an entire day due to multiple stopovers.

Between rallies, Wanga has declared Nyanza a no-go zone for the embattled Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Babu and their allies in the Linda Mwananchi faction.

President William Ruto with Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga after a meeting with leaders from the County at State House, Nairobi. [PCS]

So resolute is Wanga in her mission that last Thursday, she attended three separate events in Kisumu, Homa Bay and Siaya.

"She is the one driving ODM's current direction alongside a few close allies. Her position as chairperson has emboldened her, hence the decisive moves she is making," said a senior ODM official.

Since Raila's death last October and Oburu's subsequent elevation as ODM leader, Wanga is said to enjoy regular access to State House. She has also hosted President Ruto in Homa Bay on several occasions.

Not all-party members approve of her strategy. Several leaders, including fellow governors, have skipped her meetings, while others have issued thinly veiled criticisms of her campaigns.

At the grassroots level, Wanga's efforts have met mixed reactions. In Ahero about two weeks ago, she encountered a hostile crowd that heckled her. Last week, as she led a Linda Ground rally in Kisumu, Governor Nyong'o was notably absent.

During the rally, leaders accompanying Wanga challenged the Sifuna-Babu axis to campaign in the region, warning of unspecified consequences.

Political analysts are split on whether Magwanga's resignation could undermine Wanga's re-election prospects in 2027.

Lawyer Joshua Nyamori argues that if Magwanga aligns himself with other influential figures dissatisfied with Wanga's leadership, he could pose a formidable obstacle to her re-election bid.

"The frustrations Magwanga has endured suggest that Wanga is sidelining key opinion-shapers who were instrumental in her 2022 victory. These figures could regroup and rally behind Magwanga," Nyamori said.

Magwanga announced his resignation last Thursday in Oyugis, surprising many Homa Bay residents.

The former Kasipul MP said he had sought to discharge his duties with integrity and loyalty but had encountered persistent frustrations.