• The duo has occasionally assassinated each other's character in their campaign rallies in a bid to woo residents to support their candidature.
• Their frosty political relations began in 2017 when Magwanga bolted out of ODM and ran as an independent candidate.
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO
Homa Bay ODM gubernatorial aspirant Gladys Wanga has promised to work without political fault lines between her and running mate Oyugi Magwanga.
Wanga said she and Magwanga have in previous campaigns engaged in fierce political rivalry which made Homa Bay residents to doubt whether they would be able to work together should they get elected on August 9.
The duo has occasionally assassinated each other's character in their campaign rallies in a bid to woo residents to support their candidature.
Their frosty political relations began in 2017 when Magwanga bolted out of ODM and ran as an independent candidate after the party handed the ticket to Governor Cyprian Awiti for his reelection.
Magwanga was the Homa Bay ODM secretary while Wanga was the chairperson.
The former Kasipul MP later ate humble pie and returned to ODM after he unsuccessfully challenged Awiti’s reelection through the court.
Homa Bay residents continued to witness the political differences between the two in the recent past as they were preparing to face off in ODM party primaries.
Magwanga criticised Wanga over utilization of National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) while Wanga dismissed him as a stranger in ODM.
But on Sunday, Wanga said they have buried the hatchet and promised Homa Bay voters a seamless working government should they get elected.
“We all know the kind of politics we have played previously. I tell you that those are now in the past and we’ll form a unitary government if you vote for us,” Wanga said.
Speaking in Homa Bay after they were handed ODM party tickets, Wanga asked Magwanga supporters and other aspirants who competed with against them for the ODM ticket to rally their support behind them as they go for the county's top seat.
ODM leader Raila Odinga brokered a truce that saw Wanga become the party flag bearer in the Homa Bay gubernatorial race.
Aspirants who agreed to drop their ambitions for Wanga are Magwanga, Kuppet secretary general Akello Misori, former county secretary Isaiah Ogwe and Suba South MP John Mbadi.
But former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and businessman Louis Ogingo refused saying they were not invited to the meeting.
Kidero has since gone independent and began campaigns for the seat. Ogingo is supporting him.
“I thank all my competitors who rescinded their ambition and agreed to support me unconditionally. We have cemented our political relationship with all of them including Magwanga in order to pursue a common goal,” Wanga said.
The woman representative reiterated that she is being supported with the condition that she will retain some officials in Awiti’s administration in her government.
Governor Awiti and his administration have been accused of under-performance despite the county having adequate resources.
But Wanga said their government will start building Homa Bay with fresh people should they win the seat.
“Our hands are not tied, hence what you hear is propaganda. We’ll not favour anybody,” Wanga said.
Magwanga expressed confidence that they will emerge victorious.
“Let’s focus on how we’ll overwhelmingly vote for Raila Odinga as president,” Magwanga said.
The duo was accompanied by Senator Moses Kajwang, MPs Adipo Okuome (Karachuonyo), Martin Owino (Ndhiwa) and woman rep nominee Joyce Osogo.
Kajwang asked residents not to get divided as they approach elections.
“There is a need for politicians to play base politics to enhance unity,” Kajwang said.