Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga has moved to court seeking orders to compel Governor Gladys Atieno Wanga to reopen his office, which he says has remained closed since last year.
Magwanga says the continued office closure has effectively crippled his ability to discharge his duties, denying residents access to services from the Office of the Deputy Governor.
He argues that he has no designated workspace and cannot reasonably offer public services from his home or informal locations, despite continuing to draw a salary.
The Deputy Governor further claims there has been no direct communication from Governor Wanga regarding alternative working arrangements, describing the situation as a disservice to the people of Homa Bay County.
He has appealed to the Governor to unlock the office even before the court determines the matter.
Magwanga, who unsuccessfully vied for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat in 2017 before being elected Deputy Governor in 2022 on a joint ticket with Governor Wanga, has declared his intention to contest the governorship in the 2027 General Elections.
He has also accused the Governor of taking credit for national government projects while allegedly failing to account for nearly KSh48 billion allocated to Homa Bay County since she assumed office.
