BY MANUEL ODENY
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has locked out her deputy from office, only hours after sacking him as a member of executive.
The move has escalated political tension between the two which came into head during the just concluded Kasipul Constituency by-elections.
Earlier today in cabinet reshuffle a, the governor dropped Magwanga as Agriculture executive.
Immediatedly his office, that of the County Secretary and Payroll Management were locked.
Magwanga in a terse press statement called the move unethical and illegal.
“Locking up government offices over political disagreements is an intolerable attack on our democratic rights,” he said.
He said Wanga was out to undermine him and shows that standing up against Wanga in the Kasipul by election was normal and the recent move in bad faith.
“This is a calculated political power play aimed directly at undermining my office and obstructing the functions of county governance it’s a clear sign of intolerance for dissent and disregard for the public interest,” he said.
“Political differences and dissenting opinions must be resolved through dialogue, respect, and lawful means, not through intimidation, exclusion, or misuse of authority,” he added.
Magwanga begged Wanga to intervene and help to “restore access to all locked offices, and recommit to serving the people with honor and fairness.”
Wanga has fired Magwanga as the executive member of Agriculture in a major cabinet shake up saying “this restructuring initiates a new phase of focused administration for our county.”
Magwanga position will be taken in acting capacity by Denis Onyango the current Roads and Public Works executive.
At the same time Dr. Peter Ogolla was fired as Lands and Physical executive member with the governor immediately nominating Joseph Mitito in the vacant position awaiting assembly approval.
In the just concluded Kasipul Constituency by-elections Wanga as the ODM national chairman had a tough time to campaign for the winner Boyd Were.
Magwanga publicly broke ranks with his boss and instead campaigned openly for independent candidate Philip Aroko, stoking political tension.
Magwanga has been struggling to wrestle and control the vote rich Rachuonyo clan, a struggle which also pitied him against the late Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were.
