Governor Wanga reshuffles cabinet, removes Deputy Magwanga from Agriculture docket

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has stripped Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga of his additional role as County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Agriculture as part of wider changes in her administration.

In the new changes, Danish Onyango will remain the CEC for Roads, Public Works, Transport and Infrastructure, and will concurrently take on the role of Acting CEC for Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock Development, stepping in following Magwanga’s removal from the docket.

In a separate move, Governor Wanga has also dismissed County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Peter Ogolla.

In a statement issued on Monday, December 1, 2025, the governor nominated Joseph Mitito to replace Dr. Ogolla, but Mitito will assume the role fully once he is vetted and approved by the County Assembly.

The governor did not directly link the latest changes to the by-election events but indicated that her administration will continue taking steps aimed at strengthening service delivery intended to strengthen county operations.

“In order to enhance service delivery, and to better serve the people of Homa Bay, I dismiss Dr Peter Ogolla as provided for by section 35(9)(a) of the County Governments Act. He was serving as CECM for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development,” Governor Wanga said

She added, "We've made changes to the membership of the County Executive Committee, effective immediately. This restructuring initiates a new phase of focused administration for our county.”

The adjustments come days after a political rift emerged during the Kasipul constituency by-election, where Deputy Governor Magwanga supported an Independent candidate, Philip Aroko, while the governor backed ODM’s Boyd Were, who eventually won.

Dr Ogolla, who comes from Homa Bay Town Constituency, had been serving in the cabinet since Wanga took office.

Last week, the governor signaled tougher action against county officials she believes are not aligned with her agenda.

Speaking on Friday, November 28, during the burial of educationist Mama Beliah Auma Ogaga in Otaro, Homa Bay Town East, the ODM party boss fired the first warning salvo.

When I appoint someone to work in the county government of Homa Bay, you must work diligently in that government. But on the day they feel that the government is bad, they can't work in it, and they resign and leave so that another person from Kanyada can take up the job. That is how this thing is done. Or don't we have people from Kanyada who are willing to work?”

"The other day, I gave the people of Kanyada a job, and it's only the people from Kanyada who want a job who'll get the job done. Someone cannot work in your government and at the same time speak negatively about the same government because getting into government or power is hard. I really toiled and walked around so I could become the governor of Homa Bay," she warned