Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga has nominated her Roads and Public Works minister, Danish Otieno Onyango, as the new deputy governor.
Onyango will replace Oyugi Magwanga, who resigned a few weeks ago, should the county assembly of Homa Bay approve him.
Wanga, in a statement, used the opportunity to reorganise her cabinet, making additional changes by appointing Elijah Dede and Issac Ongiri to her cabinet.
Onyango, who hails from Kabondo Kasipul Sub-County, has a Bachelor's of Arts (Economics, Political Science and Public Administration) from the University of Nairobi. He also holds a Masters of Arts in Development Studies.
Governor Wanga praised the nominee as a hardworking individual whose contribution to the growth of Homa Bay County was significant.
"I am confident he will be able to serve the county in this new DG role based on his exemplary performance since 2022," said Wanga.
She went ahead to note that through Onyango's results-based performance and leadership, the county has expanded its road networks and connectivity in all 40 wards.
"He has led landmark transformative projects, raising considerable resources, for instance, the Sh1.4 billion KISIP2 Project in the informal settlements," wrote Wanga.
On the nomination of Dede to serve as minister in charge of Trade, Industry, Tourism, Marketing and Cooperative Development, Wanga described him as dependable.
Dede is from Ndhiwa Sub- County and was previously serving as chief officer in the same capacity.
Ongiri, who has been nominated as the county minister in charge of Governance, Administration, Communication and Devolution, was serving in the same docket as chief officer from 2023.
Wanga also reassigned Dr Joash Aloo to serve as minister in charge of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Development. He has been moved from Trade, Industry, Tourism, Marketing and Cooperative Development.
"I direct the county secretary to oversee a smooth handover process," Wanga concluded.
Homa Bay County has been without a Deputy Governor for almost two weeks following the resignation of Magwanga.
Late last month, Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga resigned, citing irreconcilable differences with Governor Gladys Wanga and what he described as interference in county governance.
Magwanga said his decision followed “deep reflection and consultations with leaders, supporters and my family,” adding that he had resolved to step down with immediate effect.
“I leave office with my conscience clear and my commitment to the people of Homa Bay County unwavering. My resolve to advocate for integrity and proper management of public resources and the fulfilment of our county remains stronger than ever,” Magwanga said.
He noted that he assumed office with a solemn commitment to serve faithfully and in full obedience to the Constitution, but claimed that since December 2025, he had been denied access to his official office after the locks were changed without formal communication.
He said he was subsequently compelled to proceed on early annual leave under circumstances that were not voluntary.
“When my leave lapsed in January 2026, I remained locked out and unable to resume my official duties,” he said.
Magwanga further alleged that while undertaking official duties in Nairobi, the vehicle assigned to his office was repossessed without prior notice. He added that the remaining county vehicle allocated to his office is unserviceable and that he had not been facilitated with fuel or logistical support necessary to carry out his constitutional responsibilities.
“These actions have rendered the Office of the Deputy Governor functionally inoperative and have made it impossible for me to serve effectively,” he said.
Magwanga said he could not, in good conscience, continue to draw a salary funded by taxpayers while being prevented from performing the work he was elected to do.
“I firmly believe that public office is a sacred trust. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to earn a salary funded by the taxpayers of Homa Bay County while being deliberately prevented from performing the work they elected me to do. Leadership must be anchored in respect for institutions, constitutionalism, and mutual trust,” he added.
“After deep reflection and consultations, I have concluded that it is neither tenable nor honourable for me to remain in office under these prevailing circumstances. I therefore step aside with dignity and clarity of conscience.”
He expressed his readiness to contest for the gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Elections, where he is set to face the incumbent, Gladys Wanga.
Magwanga has been at the centre of ongoing disputes with Governor Wanga, a rift that intensified following disagreements over the Kasipul parliamentary by-election.
Last year, he was relieved of his duties as the County Executive Member for Agriculture, a move seen as an attempt by Wanga to distance herself from political critics ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a letter to all executive committee members, County Attorney Fredrick Orego and County Secretary Prof Bernard Muok, the governor directed Roads Executive Danish Onyango to serve in the agricultural docket in an acting capacity. The changes followed Magwanga’s open defiance of Wanga, who also serves as ODM national chairperson, during the Kasipul by-election campaign.
As a form of punishment for his defiance, Wanga stripped her deputy of one of his mandates, leaving him to serve only in one office. Magwanga described the move as political imprisonment of public offices, saying it undermines governance.
“Locking up government offices over political disagreements is an intolerable attack on our democratic institutions and the rule of law. This is a calculated political power play aimed directly at undermining my office and obstructing the functions of county governance,” he said in a statement.
Governor Wanga also fired Lands, Housing and Physical Planning Executive Peter Ogolla, a known ally of Magwanga, and nominated Joseph Mitito to replace him. She stated that the changes were made to improve service delivery.
“The changes herein take effect immediately. The county secretary is tasked with ensuring a smooth handover by those affected,” the governor wrote.
During the Kasipul campaigns, Magwanga, who served as Kasipul MP before the 2017 election, said he would not support Charles Ong’ondo Were’s son, the 27-year-old by-election candidate. He told voters that there is no law requiring a deceased MP’s successor to be related to them and urged support for Mr Aroko, who had come second in the polls.
Magwanga’s suspension as Agriculture Executive widened the rift between him and Governor Wanga. The two have long-standing differences, dating back to the ODM nominations in 2022, when both were vying for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had to broker a truce, after which Magwanga agreed to support Wanga and was appointed her deputy. He also served as an executive from October 2022 until his resignation.
