It seems the wars in the Homa County government's top leadership are far from over, as Governor Gladys Wanga and her deputy, Oyugi Mangwanga, differ publicly.
The two leaders, jointly elected in 2022 on a UDA ticket, have not been seeing eye to eye, differing on their political stances.
Their differences became clear in the just-concluded by-election in Kasipul Constituency.
As Wanga supported the ODM party's Boyd Were, Magwanga threw his weight behind Philip Aroko, an independent candidate.
Immediately after the minipoll, which was won by the ODM candidate, Wanga hinted at chasing her deputy from office.
Read More
She indirectly fired at him, stating that whoever feels unhappy serving in the county should quit.
"If you ever feel 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 working can quit, and they will be replaced by those who want to serve the people of Homa Bay," she was quoted as having said.
Speaking a week after the by-election, Magwanga vowed to stay put, challenging his boss to proceed with any plans to remove him from office, if there are any.
"They want to impeach me, for which I am calling upon them to bring it. Let them bring it, and let's see where it will actually end," he said.
Magwanga warned Wanga that should the supposed impeachment fail in the county assembly, he would retaliate by initiating his own against her.
He suggested he is a fully-fledged politician who also has his means politically.
"Should my impeachment fail, I will also initiate mine. She knows me, and I know her," the deputy governor stated.
Magwanga accused Wanga of publicly humiliating him and failing to recognise his post as the deputy governor.
He referenced the Devolution Conference 2025 held in Homa Bay in August this year.
According to Magwanga, Wanga recognised all leaders, even her husband, and failed to acknowledge the presence of her deputy.
This did not sit well with him, contributing to their earlier lukewarm relationship.
Should Homa Bay MCAs go ahead to impeach Magwanga, he would be the second one since the 2022 general election.
In 2023, Siaya MCAs impeached Governor James Orengo's deputy, William Oduol, who had been accused of abuse of office, gross violation of the constitution and other laws, among other allegations.
Oduol was, however, saved by the Senate, where 27 senators voted to save him, against 16 who voted in support of the charges presented against him.
