Homabay County Governor Gladys Wanga has declared the office of the Deputy Governor vacant following the resignation of Joseph Oyugi Magwanga.
In a notice dated February 27, 2026, Governor Wanga confirmed that she had received a resignation letter from Oyugi Magwanga and formally accepted it with immediate effect.
She invoked Article 181(1) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and Section 32C(b) of the County Governments Act, 2012, to formally declare the Deputy Governor’soffice vacant.
“I acknowledge receipt of a letter dated 26th February 2026 from the Deputy Governor tendering resignation from office with immediate effect. I have today formally accepted the said resignation,” stated Governor Wanga.
The now former Homabay deputy governor announced his resignation from the position yesterday, citing irreconcilable differences with Governor Gladys Wanga.
Oyugi Magwanga ran alongside Gladys Wanga on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in the 2022 general elections, following a deal brokered by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Magwanga’s resignation ends the political rift between him and Gladys Wanga, which had materialised after the death of Raila Odinga.
In the statement, Wanga alleged that Magwanga’s “preoccupation with future political ambitions” compromised his mandate as Deputy Governor and undermined the responsibilities that come with the office.
”It is, however, imperative for the public to understand that a sustained preoccupation with future political ambitions increasingly compromised the collective focus required in the Office of the Deputy Governor,” stated Governor Wanga.
Wanga further stated that the Homabay County Administration fulfilled Magwanga’s constitutional role and even entrusted him with additional portofolio of County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock Development.
In the run-up to the 2022 elections, Oyugi Magwanga had declared his bid for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat but later withdrew and agreed to become Gladys Wanga’s running mate following the intervention of Raila Odinga.
Their alliance weakened after Oyugi Magwanga openly backed Philip Aroko, an independent candidate, over Boyd Were, the candidate of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the Kasipul by-election.
However, Wanga has assured Homabay residents that service delivery will continue without disruptions and the vacancy in the office will be filled in accordance with the law.
”I assure residents that County Government operations will proceed seamlessly. Service delivery remains uninterrupted, and the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy Governor will be addressed in accordance with the law,” assured Governor Wanga.
Wanga thanked Oyugi Magwanga for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.
