Joseph Oyugi Magwanga has finally resigned as the Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga’s deputy.

The resignation comes amid tension between the county boss and her deputy, which has seen Magwanga being out of office since November 2025.

In a statement to newsrooms, Magwanga cited frustration from the county leadership which has prevented him from executing his duties as the DG.

“In 2022, I accepted the honour of serving as the running mate for Her Excellency Gladys Wanga after consultations presided over by the late former prime minister and ODM party leader Raila Odinga,” he stated.

“Following our electoral victory, I was sworn in with a solemn commitment to serve the people of Homa Bay County faithfully, diligently and in full obedience to the constitution of Kenya,” he said.

“Today, after a deep reflection and consultation with leaders, supporters and my family, I have resolved to resign from the office of the Deputy Governor with immediate effect,” reads the statement.

Magwanga has already declared his interest in running for the county’s top seat in the 2027 general elections.

Magwanga’s 2027 quest

Magwanga has of late been making inroads in various parts of the county, and his resignation comes after he met over 3000 residents of Karachuonyo during a consultation meeting.

According to the former Kasipul MP, since he assumed the office, he has endeavoured to discharge his mandate with integrity and loyalty to the people of Homa Bay; however, when it reached December 2025, he was denied access to his official office after the locks were changed without formal communication.

After the county services were moved to the new county headquarters, Magwanga refused to enter his new allocated office.

He claimed that the office has been “bewitched” by certain individuals within the county leadership, and he will only occupy it if assigned a different office.

 Wanga-Magwanga rift

The rift between Magwanga and his boss, Governor Gladys Wanga, who also serves as the ODM National Chairperson, developed during the Kasipul by-election. In that election, Magwanga supported independent candidate Philip Aroko against the party’s chosen candidate, Boyd Were.

Last year, Wanga acknowledged the division within her government and promised to take action against those who criticised her administration while still holding office.

Following the election, Wanga relieved Magwanga of his duties as the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock Development just days after Were won the by-election.