Former Homa Bay Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga has joined the Linda Mwananchi team and will take charge of the anti-Ruto campaign in Homa Bay, only a week after attending a function intended to garner support for the Head of State. He is now aligning himself with Siaya Governor James Orengo a week after the Siaya governor toured Homa Bay county.
At an event held at Ober Secondary School in Kabondo Kasipul, Magwanga struggled to gain attention from senior leaders and was ultimately not given a chance to address the public, despite being a former MP for the area. The fundraiser was attended by top broadbased leaders including Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omollo and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi.
Last week, Governor Orengo, while on an impromptu stop in Homa Bay Town, hinted that he and the gubernatorial hopeful were working on a possible teaming up. He reiterated the very words during his late evening stop at Kendu Bay town. This working arrangement was firmed up on Sunday evening, when Magwanga joined theLinda Wananchi team at a Kisumu hotel shortly after the Sifuna homecoming rally in Bungoma.
The meeting, also attended by Magwanga's personal aide Samwel Owida was to plan for the outfit's rally next weekend where he is expected to play a prominent hosting role. Insiders suggest that this development may further strain his relationships with both leaders and the residents of a county that is strongly supportive of the Broad-Based Government and the president's re-election.
Magwanga will play host to the opposition team that has lined up several activities in the lakeside county, incluidng two church fundraisers at Nyalkinyi SDA church and Sophia SDA church in the heart of Homa Bay town before holding a mega rally at the Homa Bay bus park.
Hon. Babu Owino and Governor Orengo met part of the team involved in the mobilization which includes lawyers Otieno Obiero, Nyauke, former Kasipul MP aspirant Newton Ogada among other leaders who are knitting together the final loose ends for what promises to be a defining opposition showdown in the region which is perceived to be a President Ruto stronghold.