Some Homa Bay government officials from the greater Rachuonyo region have vowed to rally their people to support the re-election of Gladys Wanga.

The officials said they will mount a “mother of all campaigns” in the three constituencies that make up the region until Wanga secures victory in her 2027 re-election bid.

The leaders, including Deputy Governor Danish Onyango, County Assembly Speaker Polycarp Okombo, and executive members Solomon Obiero (Finance) and Elijah Munga (Sports & Gender), said they want to make the region a stronghold of Governor Wanga.

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Onyango said Wanga has initiated many development programmes and should be allowed to complete them in a second term.

“Homa Bay government officers from the greater Rachuonyo region have decided to support the two-term agenda of Governor Wanga. We will not allow the projects she started to stall because of an individual's interests,” Onyango said.

Addressing residents during a fundraiser at Ngolo Comprehensive School in Karachuonyo Constituency, Onyango faulted former Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga over his ambition to unseat Wanga in the 2027 polls.

Magwanga resigned in February this year, citing frustration, and announced his interest in the gubernatorial seat. He hails from the greater Rachuonyo region, which comprises Karachuonyo, Kasipul and Kabondo Kasipul constituencies.

Onyango, who comes from Kabondo Kasipul, was picked to replace Magwanga after his resignation.

The region has a tendency to vote as a bloc, as witnessed during the tenure of former Governor Cyprian Awiti, who served two terms and hails from Karachuonyo.

Ahead of the 2022 elections, Magwanga was selected as Wanga’s running mate. They campaigned and won on an ODM party ticket, taking over from Awiti, who had served for 10 years.

Onyango dismissed Magwanga’s candidacy, saying a Rachuonyo leader had just left office.

“It has been just four years since Awiti, who comes from Karachuonyo, left the governor’s seat. Rachuonyo people should be considerate and re-elect Wanga to finish her second term as governor,” he said.

Obiero claimed that Magwanga was being pushed by jealous individuals to run against Wanga in the 2027 elections. He said they would not allow him to slow down development progress in the region.

He argued that Magwanga resigned after failing to deliver in his docket, noting that he had also served as Executive Member for Agriculture.

“Magwanga can't point out any development projects he undertook when he was in office. Wanga has put Homa Bay on a development roadmap which I believe Magwanga cannot,” Obiero said.

Munga said they would carry out massive campaigns across the three constituencies to ensure Wanga is re-elected.

“We will not gamble with the county leadership,” he said, adding that Magwanga cannot defeat Wanga.

Other executive members from the region who have joined the push include Isaac Ongiri (Governance) and Joash Aloo (Trade).

“There will be no miracle in the Homa Bay governor election to make Magwanga win. We will do a mother of all campaigns for Wanga to retain the seat,” Munga said.

Okombo cautioned residents against division ahead of the 2027 polls, urging unity and resistance to political propaganda.

“Let members of the greater Rachuonyo align with us who know that Wanga will be re-elected. We don't want to be outside the government,” he said.

Wanga, who attended the event, urged residents not to fall for propaganda from her opponents.

She said her administration has allocated Sh6 million to build modern Early Childhood Development classrooms at Ngolo Comprehensive School and make it a centre of excellence. By the end of the year, Homa Bay will have built 604 ECD classrooms.

The governor appealed for support to complete her development agenda.

“We must refuse to get distracted by leaders who can't unite and work with colleagues. Homa Bay must be brought back to its original glory,” Wanga said.