Homa Bay deputy governor cries foul hours after being stripped of CEC role
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 1, 2025Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga has accused officials in the county government of unlawfully locking his office, the County Secretary’s office, and the Payroll Management office, in what he terms a direct attack on his authority.
In a strongly worded statement issued on December 1, 2025, Magwanga said the action was unethical, illegal, and a clear sign of political intolerance. He described it as an attempt to undermine his office and disrupt county operations.
Magwanga said the barricading of public offices amounted to impunity and an abuse of power. He noted that staff could not access their workstations, which interfered with essential services. He argued that political disagreements should never spill over into public administration.
“It has come to my urgent attention that my office, alongside the County Secretary and Payroll Management offices, has been unlawfully locked, barring staff from performing their duties,” he said.
“This act is not only unethical and illegal but an alarming display of blatant impunity and abuse of power. I condemn this shameful and retrogressive assault on public administration in the strongest possible terms.”
Magwanga added that no public office belongs to an individual and that leaders only hold these positions on behalf of the people.
The Deputy Governor said those behind the closure intended to weaken his role in the county government following recent political tensions. He claimed the locking of other offices was collateral damage in a wider political fight.
He warned that such actions damaged public trust, stalled service delivery, and eroded democratic values. He emphasised that disagreements within government should be solved through dialogue and lawful processes, not intimidation or exclusion.
“Political differences and dissenting opinions must be resolved through dialogue, respect, and lawful means, not through intimidation, exclusion, or misuse of authority. This toxic approach
must end.”
Cabinet reshuffle fuels tensions
The tensions came barely hours after Governor Gladys Wanga reshuffled her cabinet and removed Magwanga from his additional role as County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Agriculture. The governor appointed Danish Onyango, the current CEC for Roads, to serve as Acting CEC for Agriculture in place of Magwanga.
The governor also dismissed Dr Peter Ogolla as the CEC for Lands and nominated Joseph Mitito to replace him, pending vetting by the County Assembly.
Although Governor Wanga did not directly mention the political fallout from the recent Kasipul by-election, the reshuffle came days after Magwanga backed Independent candidate Philip Aroko. Wanga supported ODM candidate Boyd Were, who won the contest. The by-election widened divisions within the county’s leadership.
The governor had previously warned that her administration would take tough action against officials she felt were not aligned with her agenda. Speaking during a funeral in Homa Bay Town East, she said those who disagreed with her leadership should resign instead of criticising the government from within.
“When I appoint someone to serve in the county government, they must work diligently. If they feel the government is bad, they should resign and allow others who want to work to take the job,” she said. She added that she had worked hard to win the governorship and would not tolerate officials undermining her administration.
Magwanga’s statement now signals a deepening rift at the top of the county government. He directly appealed to Governor Wanga to act and reopen the locked offices. He urged her to rein in those responsible and recommit the administration to fairness and respect for the law.
“”I call upon H.E.Governor Gladys Wanga to reign on those involved to immediately reverse these unlawful closures, restore access to all locked offices, and recommit to serving the people with honour and fairness,” he said. He insisted that the county needed leadership that put citizens first and protected democratic principles.