Gladys Wanga Nominates New Deputy Governor for Homa Bay
Gladys Wanga, the Governor of Homa Bay, has officially nominated Danish Otieno Onyango to serve as the county’s new Deputy Governor.
This move comes after the resignation of Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, who stepped down from the position in late February, creating a vacancy in the county’s top leadership.
In a formal statement released on March 16, Governor Wanga announced that Onyango, who has been serving as the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Roads and Public Works, is her preferred candidate for the role.
She explained that the nomination has been made in line with the legal provisions of the County Governments Act, and that Onyango’s appointment will only take effect after it is reviewed and approved by the Homa Bay County Assembly.
According to Wanga, Onyango will continue handling his current responsibilities in the Roads and Public Works department even as he prepares to take up the new role of Deputy Governor. This means he will temporarily hold both positions, ensuring continuity in the county’s development agenda while awaiting the assembly’s decision.
While making the announcement, the governor emphasized Onyango’s long and distinguished career in public service, noting that he brings over 20 years of experience working in government.
She highlighted his strong leadership track record, particularly since joining the county government in 2022, as one of the main reasons she chose him for the position.
Wanga pointed out that Onyango has played a major role in improving infrastructure across Homa Bay County. Under his leadership, the county has recorded significant progress in road development.
In the 2024/2025 financial year alone, the county opened up an impressive 736 kilometres of new roads. In addition to that, his department has carried out routine maintenance on 538 kilometres of roads and rehabilitated another 116 kilometres of access routes.
These infrastructure projects have had a direct impact on residents’ lives by improving access to essential services. Communities can now more easily reach schools, health centres, markets, and even beach areas, boosting both social and economic activities across the county.
“I am confident that he will serve the county diligently in this new role, just as he has done since 2022,” Wanga said, expressing full trust in Onyango’s ability to deliver.
Danish Otieno Onyango comes from Kabondo Kasipul constituency. Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Political Science, and Public Administration from the University of Nairobi.
He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Development Studies, further strengthening his expertise in governance and development matters.
Before joining the Homa Bay County Government, Onyango worked in national government, serving at the State Department of Infrastructure.
His background in infrastructure development and public administration has been seen as valuable in driving county projects and improving service delivery.
If approved by the county assembly, Onyango will officially take over from Magwanga, whose resignation followed concerns about being sidelined in key decision-making processes within the county administration.
His exit had raised questions about internal operations, making the appointment of a new deputy governor a critical step in stabilizing leadership.
Alongside Onyango’s nomination, Governor Wanga also made several changes within her administration. She nominated Elijah Obiny Dede to head the Trade, Industry, Tourism, Marketing, and Co-operative Development department.
At the same time, Isaac Victor Ongiri was nominated to take charge of Governance, Administration, Communication, and Devolution.
In addition, Joash Aloo was reassigned to lead the Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock Development docket after being moved from the Trade department. These changes are part of a broader effort by the governor to strengthen service delivery and improve efficiency across different sectors.
To ensure a smooth transition, Wanga directed the County Secretary to oversee the handover process and coordinate the changes within the administration. She also assured the public that all nominees meet the integrity standards required under Chapter Six of the Constitution, which focuses on leadership and ethics.
Overall, the nomination of Onyango marks a significant step in reshaping Homa Bay’s leadership, as the county looks to maintain stability while continuing with its development agenda.
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