A fierce political storm has engulfed Homa Bay County, culminating in the dramatic locking of Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga's office, allegedly on the orders of Governor Gladys Wanga. The move signals a dangerous escalation in a bitter public feud that now threatens the stability of the county's leadership.

This power struggle, ignited by opposing loyalties in the recent Kasipul constituency by-election, directly impacts governance and service delivery. With the offices of the County Secretary and the payroll management also locked, the livelihoods of county employees and the continuity of administrative functions hang in the balance.

By-Election Fallout Boils Over

The conflict erupted publicly during the heated campaign to replace the late Kasipul MP, Ong'ondo Were. Governor Wanga, a national chairperson for the ODM party, threw her weight behind the party's candidate, Boyd Were. However, her deputy, Magwanga, openly defied the party line, campaigning for independent candidate Philip Aroko.

Following Boyd Were's victory, the political repercussions were swift. Governor Wanga issued a stern warning to disloyal staff, stating, "Anyone who does not want to work in my government will be forced to resign." This was followed by an executive order stripping Magwanga of his additional role as the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture.

Service Delivery at Risk

In a strongly-worded statement, Deputy Governor Magwanga condemned the office closures as a "troubling display of blatant impunity and abuse of power." He lamented that the move was a calculated political play aimed at undermining his office and obstructing county governance.

The key offices affected include:

• The Office of the Deputy Governor
• The Office of the County Secretary
• The Payroll Management Office

Analysts and residents express concern that this high-stakes political battle could derail development and disrupt essential services. The locking of the payroll office, in particular, poses a direct threat to county workers awaiting their salaries. The feud, born from a political alliance brokered by ODM leader Raila Odinga in 2022, has now fractured, leaving the future of Homa Bay's leadership uncertain.

With neither side showing signs of backing down, the residents of Homa Bay are left watching a political battle that could define the county's trajectory for years to come.