Oyugi Magwanga resigns as Homa Bay deputy governor, cites political differences with Governor Gladys Wanga

Homa Bay Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga has resigned, bringing to an end a turbulent working relationship with Governor Gladys Wanga that had increasingly spilled into the public domain. Magwanga announced his resignation on Thursday, February 26, 2026, saying he could no longer effectively discharge his duties due to what he termed as deliberate frustrations from the county leadership. “I leave office with my conscience clear and my commitment to the people of Homa Bay County unwavering. My resolve to advocate for integrity and proper management of public resources remains stronger than ever,” he said during a press briefing in Oyugis, Kasipul. Magwanga, who served alongside Governor Wanga since their joint election in 2022, said his office had been rendered dysfunctional after it was locked in December 2025. He added that his official vehicle had been withdrawn and another left without fuel, leaving him unable to perform his constitutional mandate. He argued that remaining in office under such conditions would amount to earning a salary without service delivery. The resignation marks the culmination of a year-long deterioration in relations between the county’s top leaders. Their fallout traces back to the November 27, 2025, Kasipul parliamentary by-election, where Magwanga openly defied Wanga by campaigning for Philip Aroko, while the governor backed ODM candidate Boyd Were. Shortly after the by-election, Governor Wanga initiated a sweeping reorganization of her administration. Several senior officials were removed, including Magwanga, who was stripped of his role as County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture. Lands CEC Dr. Peter Ogolla was also dismissed. Wanga reassigned Danish Onyango as the executive member for agriculture. Magwanga moved to court in February, accusing the governor of unlawfully locking his office and rendering him “jobless.” He argued that the closure undermined service delivery and denied residents the representation they were entitled to receive. Magwanga also claimed he had been sidelined from key decision-making processes, weakening his ability to contribute meaningfully to county governance. Magwanga has declared his intention to contest the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, setting up a direct political showdown with Governor Wanga.