Governor Gladys Wanga to grow dreadlocks, wear gloves to face off with deputy

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga will now grow dreadlocks on her head to appear masculine in an attempt to deal with county officials in her government she considers disloyal.

To complement the dreadlocks, Wanga will also be wearing gloves as she moves to deal with the dissenting county officials, including her deputy Oyugi Magwanga. The governor and the deputy have fallen out following the polarising just concluded Kasipul by-election.

Wanga surprised residents at a burial service in Homa Bay Town constituency when she made known her intentions and new style of leadership.

According to her, a tough approach is needed to deal with some officials who were not ready to serve in her administration. Instead, they had intentions of rocking the government from within.

The governor's pain is that she really struggled in campaigns to win the seat in 2022.

"I went out of my way and walked in villages across this county to ensure I became governor. It is unfortunate that there are some people I gave jobs to serve in this government but they don't want to be faithful in service delivery," Wanga said.

She promised not to spare anybody with infidelity in her government.

"I tell people who are not satisfied with my government that it is ideal for them to resign and do other things elsewhere. But now, I am going to make dreadlocks on my hair and kick them out of my government and bring those who want to serve the people," Wanga said.

She told residents to be ready to give her names for replacing the officials she is going to sack.

"I am going to start walking in villages to ask you for the right names for replacement. Be ready to give me names when I begin making the changes," Wanga said.

She vowed never to create a room for any official in the county to scuttle her administration.

According to the governor, winning the seat was not a walk in the park. "I went out of my way to win this seat. I will not allow anybody to mess me up," she charged.

Magwanga appears to be among the first casualties of the purge after being stripped of his position of County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture.

Wanga also sacked Peter Ogola, who has been serving as the CECM for Lands and Housing. Dr Ogola is a close friend of Magwanga's.