Court Clears Way for Dannish Onyango as Homa Bay Deputy Governor

HOMA BAY, July 30 — The Employment and Labor Relations Court has dismissed a petition challenging Governor Gladys Wanga’s appointment of Dannish Onyango as her deputy, paving the way for him to officially assume office.

Justice Nzioka Makau delivered the ruling on Tuesday, stating that the law is silent on the formula for achieving the two-thirds gender rule cited by petitioners Michael Otieno and Evance Oloo Gor. The two had argued that the county violated the constitutional requirement that no more than two-thirds of public office holders be of the same gender.

The decision marks a significant victory for Governor Wanga, whose choice of Onyango had faced legal hurdles since his nomination earlier this year. Onyango, who previously served as the County Executive Committee Member for Roads and Public Works, will now take over from Oyugi Magwanga, who resigned citing differences with the governor.

Both Onyango and Magwanga hail from the Kasipul-Kabondo region. Magwanga has since declared his intention to challenge Wanga in the 2027 general election.

The court’s ruling effectively ends weeks of uncertainty over the deputy governor’s position, allowing Homa Bay County’s leadership to move forward with its administrative agenda.