Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga has resigned from his position. The resignation comes after a series of public disagreements with Governor Gladys Wanga and fallout over county leadership.
Earlier, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Solomon Obiero, publicly urged Magwanga to step down amid speculation that he intended to challenge Governor Wanga for the governorship in the 2027 General Election.
Homabay County Leadership Fallout
Since the Homa Bay by-elections in November 2025, tensions have escalated between Magwanga and Governor Wanga, when the two leaders supported different aspirants.
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According to sources, disagreements over policy decisions, county administration, and political strategy strained the working relationship.
The fallout became more vocal recently when Magwanga openly challenged certain county decisions and voiced his own agenda.
Earlier on February 26, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Solomon Obiero, challenged Magwanga to resign if he plans to vie for the county’s top seat in the 2027 general elections.
According to Obiero, Magwanga could not continue to serve as Deputy Governor and earn a salary while opposing Governor Gladys Wanga.
Oyugi Magwanga Profile and Political Career
Joseph Oyugi Magwanga was born on December 12, 1966, in Kokwanyo-Kakelo Ward, Kasipul Kabondo Constituency, Homa Bay County
Before serving as Homa Deputy Governor, Oyugi served as the Member of Parliament for Kasipul Kabondo.
He was first elected as the area MP in 2007 as a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a position he held until 2017.
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In the 2017 General Elections, Magwanga ran for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat against the incumbent Cyprian Awiti but lost the election. Afterward, he challenged Awiti’s victory in court, citing election malpractice.
The High Court in Homa Bay nullified Awiti’s election. However, the then-incumbent Governor filed an appeal. The Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision, ordering a fresh election.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court of Kenya, in a ruling on July 17, 2018, overturned the lower courts’ decisions and affirmed Cyprian Awiti’s election as Homa Bay Governor.
The Supreme Court found that the irregularities alleged by Magwanga did not substantially affect the election outcome, thereby dismissing his petition and confirming Awiti’s victory.
In the 2022 General Elections, Magwanga renewed his interest in the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat, aiming to contest for the position with an ODM ticket.
Oyugi holds a bachelor’s degree in planning and management from the University of Nairobi.
Additionally, he has completed CPA Part II, Sections 3 and 4, at Strathmore University.
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