Homa Bay Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga resigned from office in a surprise move.
He cited sustained frustration and what he termed deliberate obstruction by the county leadership that rendered his office inoperative.
In a statement addressed to residents of Homa Bay County on Thursday, Magwanga said his decision followed “deep reflection and consultations with leaders, supporters, and my family”.
He added that he had resolved to step down with immediate effect.
Magwanga, who was elected in 2022 alongside Governor Gladys Wanga after consultations presided over by the late longtime ODM party leader Raila Odinga, said he had taken office with a solemn commitment to serve faithfully and in full obedience to the Constitution.
He claimed that since December 2025, he had been denied access to his official office after the locks were changed without formal communication.
He said he was subsequently compelled to proceed on early annual leave under circumstances that were not voluntary.
“When my leave lapsed in January 2026, I remained locked out and unable to resume my official duties,” he said.
The outgoing Deputy Governor further alleged that while undertaking official duties in Nairobi, the vehicle assigned to his office was repossessed without prior notice.
He added that the remaining county vehicle allocated to his office is unserviceable and that he had not been facilitated with fuel or logistical support necessary to carry out his constitutional responsibilities.
“These actions have rendered the Office of the Deputy Governor functionally inoperative and have made it impossible for me to serve effectively,” he stated.
Magwanga said he could not in good conscience continue to draw a salary funded by taxpayers while being prevented from performing the work he was elected to do.
“I firmly believe that public office is a sacred trust. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to earn a salary funded by the taxpayers of Homa Bay County while being deliberately prevented from performing the work they elected me to do. Leadership must be anchored in respect for institutions, constitutionalism, and mutual trust,” he said.
“After deep reflection and consultations, I have concluded that it is neither tenable nor honourable for me to remain in office under these prevailing circumstances. I therefore step aside with dignity and clarity of conscience.”
The move comes a few weeks after Magwanga officially declared his intention to contest against his boss, Governor Wanga, for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.
During the 2022 General Election, Magwanga and Governor Wanga were elected on a joint Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket.
The two have since had a strained relationship, especially after the Kasipul Parliamentary by-election in November 2025, where the DG supported independent candidate Phillip Aroko against her boss, who supported the eventual winner, Boyd Were.
The developments deepen politics in Homa Bay amid succession wars.
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