Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has publicly ruled out supporting Homa Bay woman representative Gladys Wanga’s 2022 bid for governor, saying she backs women in leadership but not what she described as ineffective and exploitative leadership.
The remarks were posted on Facebook and circulated widely on Monday. In the post, Odhiambo said her support for women in politics did not extend to backing a candidate she viewed as divisive or manipulative, even if that candidate was a fellow woman.
The exchange has fuelled talk of a possible political break between the two outspoken leaders, both of whom have been active in national and county politics. Odhiambo has been in Parliament since 2007, and the article notes that some observers saw her comments as a sign she may be preparing for retirement from elective politics.
Odhiambo’s criticism was especially notable because it came after she had defended Wanga just days earlier. On 11 November, she posted in support of Wanga after allegations of a sex scandal surfaced online, saying the claims were not factual and that there was no proof against her.
In that earlier statement, Odhiambo said she and Wanga often aligned on national politics even when they differed on regional and party matters. She argued that women politicians should be judged on their legislative, oversight and representation roles, not on sexual allegations or gossip.
Her later change in tone was far sharper. In the Facebook post, Odhiambo said Wanga would be the “worst mistake” Homa Bay could make in choosing a governor, and accused her of poor performance with the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the SACCO she referred to as money-consuming.
Odhiambo also said she would not be swayed by online attacks, adding that she would speak in English, Luo, Suba, Spanish and Kiswahili. The post ended with a blunt refusal of support for Wanga’s 2022 campaign.
The source article framed the dispute as a looming political clash between two prominent women leaders, with the Facebook posts showing both solidarity and open hostility within a short span of time.
