HOMA BAY, Kenya — Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga has accused unknown individuals of unlawfully locking his office, escalating tensions within Governor Gladys Wanga’s administration just days after he was stripped of his additional role as County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture.
In a sharply worded statement on Tuesday, Magwanga termed the incident a “shameful and retrogressive assault on public office,” warning that the closure amounted to an attack on democratic institutions, public accountability, and the rule of law.
“It has come to my urgent attention that my office, alongside the County Secretary and Payroll Management offices, has been unlawfully locked, barring staff from performing their duties,” Magwanga said.
“The calculated political power play directly undermines my office and obstructs county governance. We must remember that no individual holds a public office as personal property.”
Magwanga urged Governor Wanga to intervene immediately, punish those behind the closure, and restore access, stressing that political disagreements should never paralyse public service.
“Our county deserves leadership that puts people first, promotes unity, and respects the laws that safeguard our democracy,” he said. “This toxic approach must end.”
The dispute comes amid a widening political fallout following the divisive November 27 Kasipul parliamentary by-election, which saw Boyd Were — publicly backed by Governor Wanga — clinch victory. Magwanga had supported independent candidate Philip Aroko, deepening existing strains between the two leaders.
High-ranking county sources say the elections triggered a sweeping realignment inside the county administration, with officials perceived as disloyal facing abrupt changes.
“There are more officials who are going to face changes, including some chief officers and directors,” a senior county official told the newsroom on condition of anonymity.
Last week, Governor Wanga removed Magwanga from his Agriculture docket and dismissed Dr. Peter Ogolla from the Lands department, citing the need to enhance service delivery.
In a letter signed by County Secretary Bernard Muok, Wanga reassigned Danish Onyango — currently the Roads CEC — to serve as acting Agriculture CEC, while nominating Joseph Mitito to take over the Lands portfolio, pending vetting by the county assembly.
“In order to enhance service delivery to better serve the people of Homa Bay, and while exercising the powers bestowed on me, I reassign Danish Onyango as the executive member for Agriculture. Dr. Peter Ogolla is dismissed as provided under Section 35(a) of the County Governments Act,” the letter stated.
Wanga directed that the changes take effect immediately and instructed the County Secretary to ensure a smooth handover.
The governor has recently taken a harder line with her senior team, publicly warning those unable to align with her administration’s priorities to “step aside.”
Analysts say the confrontation between the governor and her deputy risks paralysing county operations if not resolved swiftly. Under the Constitution and the County Governments Act, both offices are expected to work collaboratively, with the governor providing overall leadership while the deputy assumes responsibilities assigned by the county boss.
The closure of the deputy governor’s office — if verified — may raise legal and administrative questions about accountability, access to public offices, and the handling of political disagreements within devolved units.
For now, Magwanga insists the standoff is not just a personal affront but a test of Homa Bay’s governance ethos.
“Political differences and dissenting opinions must be resolved through dialogue, respect, and lawful means, not through intimidation, exclusion, or misuse of authority,” he said.
County officials and political observers are watching closely to see whether the escalating tensions will prompt mediation — or signal deeper fractures within the county leadership.
