Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga faces a legal challenge from her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, over office access. The dispute has now moved from internal tension to an active court battle.
Magwanga went to court seeking orders to force reopening of his allegedly locked county office. He says the closure has continued since last year without lawful justification or administrative explanation.
He spoke to the press on Thursday, February 5, and confirmed filing the formal court petition. He directly accused the governor of blocking him from performing his official county duties.
Magwanga stated that the locked office prevents him from serving residents who elected the current county leadership. He argued that leadership roles require physical access, staff coordination, and a functioning administrative workspace.
He rejected any suggestion that he should operate remotely or from informal locations. He said public service demands structure, records access, and official working facilities.
Magwanga told reporters that the governor’s action effectively pushed him out of active county operations. He described himself as jobless in practice despite holding a constitutional elected position.
He claimed the governor never sent any written communication explaining the closure decision. He also said her office never offered him an alternative workspace arrangement.
He framed the situation as an institutional failure rather than a personal disagreement. He said residents lose representation when internal county offices stop functioning normally.
Magwanga asked the court to intervene quickly and restore operational balance in county leadership. He wants judges to compel immediate reopening of the deputy governor’s office.
He also made a direct public appeal to Governor Wanga alongside the legal action. He urged her to reopen the office before the court issues a ruling.
Magwanga argued that cooperation would protect service delivery and reduce unnecessary political escalation. He warned that prolonged conflict would damage public trust in county leadership.
He emphasized that voters expect services, not leadership turf wars and office access fights. He said residents should not suffer because of internal executive disagreements.
Magwanga repeated that he cannot discharge his mandate without institutional support and physical office access. He tied effective leadership directly to tools, staff, and operational infrastructure.
He positioned his court case as a defense of voters rather than a personal benefit. He said the petition protects the constitutional structure of devolved county government.
During the same press address, he revealed future political plans that raise the stakes. He confirmed that he will run for governor in 2027.
He reminded listeners that he previously contested the county’s top seat in 2017. He declared that he will appear again on the ballot against his current boss.
Magwanga framed the coming race as a direct political contest between two experienced leaders. He told the governor to prepare for a competitive electoral showdown.
The announcement shifts the dispute from administrative conflict to open political rivalry. It signals a breakdown of the current governor-deputy working relationship.
Observers now read the lawsuit and election announcement as strategically connected moves. Both actions increase pressure on the current county executive leadership structure.
Governor Wanga had not issued a public response at the time of reporting. Her office also had not released documents addressing the office closure claim.
The court will now review filings and determine whether to grant immediate reopening orders. That decision will shape the next phase of the county leadership dispute.
The case could also define how future governor–deputy conflicts get handled across counties. Many county governments watch this dispute because it tests executive power limits.
