Homa Bay Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga Declares 2027 Bid to Challenge Governor Gladys Wanga.

Magwanga made the declaration during a press address in East Kamagak Ward, Kasipul Constituency. The two leaders were elected together on a joint Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in the 2022 elections, but their working relationship has deteriorated sharply in recent months.

In his statement, Magwanga expressed deep frustration with his role as Deputy Governor, claiming it has restricted his ability to effectively serve the people of Homa Bay County.

"I am ready to challenge my boss in the 2027 general election," Magwanga declared. He added that he has the necessary experience to elevate the county's performance and promised to focus on improved service delivery if elected. "No one will block me in my quest to be the next governor," he asserted.

The rift between Magwanga and Wanga — who also serves as the ODM National Chairperson — intensified following the Kasipul parliamentary by-election in November 2025. Magwanga backed independent candidate Phillip Aroko, while Wanga supported the eventual winner, Boyd Were (the current Kasipul MP). This divergence in endorsements exposed underlying divisions within the county's ODM leadership.

The fallout has led to several high-profile actions:

-Magwanga was removed from his additional role as County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture in a cabinet reshuffle.

-He has reportedly faced office restrictions, including a locked office and withdrawn official vehicles, prompting him to file a lawsuit against the governor in the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu.

-Magwanga has publicly accused Wanga's administration of mismanagement, citing issues such as failure to pay contractors and provide basic operational necessities.

Allies of Governor Wanga have pushed back strongly. County Executive Committee Member for Finance Solomon Obiero urged Magwanga to resign from his deputy position immediately, arguing that he cannot ethically continue drawing a salary while campaigning against his superior.

"If Magwanga has decided to run against the Governor in the 2027 elections, let him resign first. He cannot earn a salary as Deputy Governor while also backbiting his boss," Obiero stated.

Other leaders close to Wanga, including County Assembly Majority Leader Richard Ogindo, have echoed calls for Magwanga's resignation as the election cycle approaches.

Governor Wanga, who is widely seen as a key figure in ODM and a potential beneficiary of strong party backing, now faces one of her toughest re-election challenges yet. Analysts describe the brewing contest as a potential "one-term" push against her, with Magwanga positioning himself as an alternative focused on accountability, integrity, and better county management.

This intra-ODM showdown in Homa Bay reflects a broader trend in Kenyan politics ahead of 2027, where deputy governors in several counties (including Siaya) are openly positioning themselves to succeed their bosses, often amid deepening personal and political rifts.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the Magwanga-Wanga feud is expected to reshape political alignments in Homa Bay County, potentially splitting ODM support bases and influencing service delivery priorities in the region. No immediate response from Governor Wanga to the latest declaration has been reported.