The feud between Wanga and Magwanga has now burst into the open, pulling in furious elders who say enough is enough. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga is under growing pressure from respected Rachuonyo elders who accuse her of division, poor judgment, and abuse of political influence.
They claim she is pushing the county into unnecessary battles while neglecting unity and service delivery. Their criticism follows public clashes between Wanga and Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga, a feud that has shaken the county’s politics and exposed deep fractures inside the ODM family.
Elders Accuse Governor Wanga of Fueling Bitter Feud With DG Magwanga
The elders say the Wanga-Magwanga feud has now reached a dangerous stage and is harming the public. They argue that the governor’s conduct during and after the Kasipul by-election betrayed leadership weakness and unnecessary hostility.
They accuse Wanga of undermining county leaders, intimidating officials, and promoting political loyalty above service. They warn that her recent public outbursts risk breaking the county’s cohesion at a time when residents need stability and development.
The elders say Homa Bay deserves calm leadership, not a political battlefield.
Wanga Under Fire Over By-Election Conduct
The Rachuonyo elders did not hold back. They say the governor’s remarks during the Kasipul by-election showed poor leadership and disrespect for public resources.
They question her decision to publicly mention an undisclosed amount of money spent during the race. One elder directly challenged her, asking whether the money came from her pocket or from taxpayers.
The elders argue that such behaviour sends a dangerous message. They say a governor should protect public trust, not fuel suspicion during a tense political period.
They also accuse Wanga of allowing her role in ODM to overshadow her responsibilities in the county government. They say she spends too much energy fighting political battles that do nothing to improve the lives of Homa Bay residents.
According to them, she must choose who she wants to serve. They insist one person cannot fully lead ODM operations while running a county of more than a million people.
Cabinet Reshuffle Fuels Tension With Deputy Governor
The elders say the cabinet reshuffle exposed the depth of the feud between Wanga and Magwanga. The move stripped Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga of his additional role as CEC for Agriculture.
They believe the reshuffle was politically motivated. According to them, Magwanga’s only crime was refusing to support ODM’s favourite candidate, Boyd Were, during the Kasipul by-election.
The elders argue that punishing a deputy governor for exercising his democratic right is unacceptable. They say leaders must respect diverse opinions, especially during elections.
They warn that the reshuffle was not about service delivery. They believe it was meant to weaken Magwanga and intimidate other county officials who do not fully align with Wanga.
The elders point out that the governor and her deputy took different stands during the by-election, and that is normal in a democracy. But they argue that Wanga crossed the line by turning a political difference into a personal war.
Public Clash Deepens the Wanga-Magwanga Feud
The feud boiled over on November 30. On that day, Governor Wanga openly told her deputy and any county official unhappy with her leadership to resign.
She declared that no one in her administration had the moral right to criticise her government. She insisted that loyalty and discipline were mandatory for all county officers.
Her comments shocked many residents and angered the elders. They say the governor is behaving like a political commander instead of a county leader. They argue that public officers should not be threatened or silenced for holding different opinions.
The elders say Wanga should show leadership by building unity, not issuing ultimatums. They warn that such intolerance is dangerous and could fuel further division in Homa Bay.
According to them, the county government is now deeply polarised, and the governor must take responsibility for the growing hostility.
