Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has issued a warning to members of her administration, stating that she will not tolerate officials who criticize the same government they serve in.
Speaking on Saturday, November 29, Wanga said no one should attack the government from within, noting that anyone employed in her government must focus on delivering services to the people.
"Someone cannot serve in a government and still talks ill of it. Constituting a government is hard, I traversed the county and even used my own resources to become the governor. If you are employed to serve in this government you must work," she said.
Wanga added that officials who feel dissatisfied or unwilling to continue supporting the administration should resign instead of causing internal conflict.
"If you ever feel the satisfied and can no longer continue to walk, feel free to resign instead of disparaging it. In fact, it will not be business as usual; whoever doesn't feel like walking can quit and they will be replaced by those who want to serve the people of Homa Bay," she added.
Read More
Wanga’s deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, recently stirred fresh political debate after endorsing independent candidate Philip Aroko for the Kasipul by-election.
Magwanga’s move was described by some residents as a long-overdue stance influenced by concerns over the party’s nomination process.
"Magwanga has made the best choice that he delayed making because he has to make a choice on who is the best candidate for Kasipul. He has not betrayed the ODM Party; it is the ODM Party that betrayed Magwanga because when we were going for the nomination of the ODM candidate, they decided to side-step Magwanga and rig the nomination in favour of the candidate that Magwanga did not support.
"If there were a free and fair election, I'm very certain that Magwanga would have supported that candidate. Magwanga is more ODM than Gladys Wanga. I must also tell you that the candidate that Magwanga has chosen to support now is a member of the broad-based government," he said.
Notably, earlier in the year, Wanga dismissed claims of a rift between her and Magwanga.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, May 27, Wanga affirmed that their working relationship remains strong and collaborative.
"My relationship with my deputy governor is very cordial and very good. We have walked together this journey; my deputy and I have been together in Parliament, and we've worked together since the beginning of our term. So, we enjoy a very cordial relationship," she said.
Prior to this, Magwanga had claimed that his life is in danger following an attack on one of his vehicles by gunmen.
Speaking on Monday, May 12, he revealed that he had received credible information that some individuals were trailing him while heading home on Sunday night.
Magwanga claimed that a vehicle with his security detail was attacked when coming to protect him at his home.
"When I was coming home, I received information that I was being trailed. So I decided to change my route. I told my people to open the gate so that I could get into the compound quickly.
"My security team, that was coming for me, met them (the gunmen) where they were hiding along the way. My team fired at them twice. They also exchanged fire with the team, thinking that I was in the car," he said.
Reacting to the news, Wanga expressed concern over the safety of her deputy and called for investigations into the matter.
"Any occurrence that raises concern about the safety and security of our leaders deserves attention and immediate action.
"This incident has come at a time when our county is still mourning the recent loss of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were, the Member of Parliament for Kasipul,” she noted.
