Danish Otieno Onyango has officially taken over as the new Deputy Governor of Homa Bay County, ending a nearly six month vacancy in the position.
Onyango was sworn into office on Thursday, August 13, after receiving clearance from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
His appointment follows the resignation of former Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga on February 26, 2026.
Magwanga left office citing irreconcilable differences with Governor Gladys Wanga.
Wanga later nominated Onyango, who was serving as the County Executive Committee Member for Roads and Public Works, to take over as her deputy.
The nomination, however, faced a legal challenge that temporarily halted the approval process.
The High Court in Homa Bay dismissed the petition on July 30, clearing the way for the appointment to proceed.
IEBC subsequently declared Onyango qualified for appointment after considering the court decision.
In a gazette notice dated August 7, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said Onyango had met the constitutional and statutory requirements for the position.
Wanga had defended her choice of Onyango, pointing to his experience and performance in the county government.
Before his nomination, Onyango had served as the county executive in charge of Roads and Public Works.
The Homa Bay County Government says he has more than 30 years of experience in roads and infrastructure, including his time in the national government.
His swearing in now gives Wanga a deputy as her administration enters the final stretch of its first term.
Onyango’s appointment also comes as political activity begins to build ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wanga will now work with Onyango as the county leadership seeks to push its development agenda while preparing for the next election cycle.
The new deputy governor becomes the third person to occupy the position since the establishment of the devolved Homa Bay government.
