Wanga at crossroads as political battles mounts

Homa Bay Governor and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga is walking a tight rope as several political flames threatens to crumble her career after she blossomed as the first female governor in the Nyanza region.

When she walked into office in 2022, many were waiting to see how she would weather the storm that comes with the huge role of the governorship after an intense struggle unlocked by a negotiated democracy speared by the late ODM chief Raila Odinga.

Today, however, all is not well for Wanga. She is facing a cocktail of political battles with direct implications on her reelection bid and her bid to strengthen ODM  that is facing a tower of babel moment as members pursue different objectives.

Over the past week, Wanga has been pushed to a defensive mode as cracks within ODM Linda Ground faction deepens and fights with her political adversaries intensify. Just like her predecessor John Mbadi who shelved his role as the chairperson of the party after he was selected to join Ruto's cabinet, Wanga is loud, a mobilizer but with a renewed push The list of critics of her zoning push is also growing after more leaders voiced their reservations on the push.

Observers believe how she handles the waves rocking her leadership ship will be instrumental in determining what the future holds for her amid uncertain times for political leaders worsened by the absence of former the late Raila Odinga.

From battling zoning to defending the push for a deal to work with president Ruto to fighting claims of dictatorial tendencies, a political storm is brewing for the governor.

In the last one week, a row between the governor and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has escalated as supporters of the two leaders take on each other, and drawing other leaders to the fight, albeit through figurative online rants.

On Friday, the governor’s team withdrew a statement to media houses that had been crafted in response to the feud. The statement had described the squabbles as a difference in opinion.

The Sunday Standard has established that at the center of the disagreement is the governor’s push for zoning and allegations of clutching on projects done by partners and the national government as her administration delivers peanuts from county coffers.

The governor is also facing criticisms for allegedly undermining other leaders, a claim that has pushed her to a clash with UDA supporters who believe the ODM chairperson is pushing to lock out the president’s party and his allies from the region.

On Thursday, Millie who has gone full throttle on her criticisms of zoning and the performances of the county government under Wanga vowed not to relent in what she describes as pushing for the truth and accountability.

She has taken the war to development and has challenged the governor’s allies to present the projects she had executed without pitching the projects done by the national government and the NGOs.

“I do not support zoning. Let democracy prevail. We are in broadbased government with UDA. Let them field candidates everywhere,” said Millie.

The zoning proposal would see political parties agree not to field candidates in each other’s strongholds, effectively ring-fencing territories where ODM currently holds dominance. This narrative is being fronted by several politicians allied to the Linda Ground initiative led by Oburu Odinga.

While Millie believes the development record of leaders should be the priority as the country prepares for the next general elections, zoning is a key plank of governor Wanga’s strategy and has been fronted as part of the key items for any talks with UDA.

This, has put her in direct conflict with Wanga’s supporters who believe her position undermines the collective push of the Linda Ground faction.

But Millie is not alone. In Nyanza, several leaders have also accused the ODM chairperson of an attempt to craft succession and leadership in the region.

Elders have also joined the pushback by Wanga on zoning and claims she is attempting to worsen voter apathy in the region.

Last week, a group of elders from Dhiwa described the push as undemocratic.

“Zoning will lead to the abrogation of the democratic principles because ODM leaders will take advantage of it to reward their loyalists with nomination certificates,” said Alfred Ogao, Ndhiwa Elders on Socio-economic Development secretary.

But this just one chapter of the fight. A section of critics of the governor believes she is on a mission to develop her own crop of leaders to back her agenda for the region.

For instance, in Muhoroni, area MP James Koyoo claims the governor is on a mission to undermine his leadership and democracy in ODM by fronting her brother Robert Nyasuna to capture the seat from Koyoo.

Robert, a pastor, has embarked on an intense grassroots mobilization in the constituency and has declared his intentions to unseat Koyoo. However, last month, a decision by Wanga to mobilize supporters to attend a faction for her brother in the constituency appears to have raffled feathers.

According to Koyoo, the ODM chairperson is attempting to install leaders across the region, including his constituency. In an interview with The Sunday Standard, Koyoo claimed the party chairperson is not expected to show favoritism.

Allies of the Governor, however, insist that the criticisms against her are driven by politics. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma argues that zoning is a strategy that will improve the strength of their coalition.

In a statement posted on her Facebook account, the legislator claimed that leaders who are jealous of Wanga's talents are behind the attacks facing her.

"We are silent but keenly watching. We will stand with her. We will destroy her enemies," said Kaluma.

On Friday, Wanga who is also battling a push back from his former deputy Oyugi Magwanga, got a relief after the court dismissed a suit Magwanga had lodged to challenge his alleged exclusion from county activities.

Justice Nzioki wa Makau found that the petition was improperly before the court, noting that Magwanga had failed to follow the required dispute resolution channels before seeking judicial intervention.

With the case now out of the window, focus shifts on Magwanga's political campaigns as he bids to unseat Wanga.