The simmering political feud in Homa Bay has erupted into open legal warfare, with Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga suing Governor Gladys Wanga over an office lockout that has left the county’s leadership divided and dysfunctional.

For two months, the office of the Deputy Governor in Homa Bay has remained firmly shut, a physical manifestation of the breakdown in relations between the county’s top two leaders. Oyugi Magwanga, a seasoned politician with his eyes set on the gubernatorial seat in 2027, has now moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu, seeking judicial intervention to force Governor Gladys Wanga to reopen his workspace and reinstate his official vehicles.

The situation, described by Magwanga as a "calculated political power play," has effectively rendered him a spectator in his own government. Despite continuing to draw a salary, the Deputy Governor claims he has been reduced to "jobless" status, unable to serve the constituents who elected him. "I cannot operate from under a tree," Magwanga told supporters in East Kamagak, emphasizing the indignity of his current predicament. "This is a violation of the Constitution and a disservice to the people of Homa Bay."

The Anatomy of a Fallout

The roots of this conflict run deep, tracing back to a cabinet reshuffle that saw Magwanga stripped of his additional portfolio as the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture. The move was widely interpreted as an attempt to clip his wings following the Kasipul by-election, where political fault lines began to widen. The withdrawal of his official vehicles and the subsequent locking of his office appear to be the latest salvos in a battle for supremacy.

Magwanga’s legal team argues that the Governor’s actions are not merely administrative slights but illegal acts that contravene the County Governments Act. They contend that the office of the Deputy Governor is a constitutional creation, not a gift from the Governor, and cannot be shuttered at whim. The petition seeks not only the reopening of the office but also general damages for the violation of Magwanga’s rights.

2027: The Shadow over the County

Looming large over this administrative tussle is the specter of the 2027 General Election. Magwanga has made no secret of his intention to unseat Wanga, declaring, "It is only a matter of time before the people of Homa Bay lock you out through the ballot." This early declaration of war has polarized the county assembly and the executive, creating a toxic environment where service delivery risks becoming collateral damage.

• The Allegations: Magwanga accuses the administration of sidelining him to sabotage his political capital.
• The Defense: Allies of Governor Wanga, including Finance CECM Solomon Obiero, have dared critics to resign if they cannot support the administration’s agenda.
• The Stakes: At risk is the stability of a county that has historically struggled with political volatility, potentially derailing development projects funded by the Ksh48 billion allocation Magwanga claims is being mismanaged.

As the case proceeds to hearing, the residents of Homa Bay watch with bated breath. The court’s ruling will likely set a significant precedent regarding the autonomy of Deputy Governors in Kenya, a position often described as being a heartbeat away from power yet frequently treated as an inconvenient appendage. For now, the doors remain locked, but the legal battle has blown them wide open for the world to see.