The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared Danish Onyango for appointment as the deputy governor of Homa Bay County following a High Court ruling that paved the way for the process to proceed.

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In a gazette notice dated Friday, August 7, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon declared Onyango qualified for appointment as Deputy Governor after considering the judgment delivered by the High Court in Homa Bay on July 30, 2026.

According to the notice, Onyango meets all the constitutional and statutory requirements for the position, therefore making him eligible to be sworn in as the county's deputy governor.

"PURSUANT to the Judgment of the High Court in Homa Bay delivered on the July 30, 2026, in Petition No. E026 of 2026 Michael Kojo Otieno and Evance Otieno Oloo Gor v. Governor Homa Bay County and Others and the Orders issued by Hon. Nzioka wa Makau, MCIArb dismissing the petition and in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 88 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya, section 11 of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act section 32D of the County Governments Act, section 25 of the Elections Act and Regulations 4 (1) (a), 30 and 38 of Elections (General) Regulations), 2012, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission declares that the person listed in the Schedule hereunder, meets the qualifications and requirements of the Constitution and the Elections Act, 2011 to be appointed as the Deputy County Governor Homa Bay County," the notice read in part.

📌 What You Need to Know

The gazette notice now authorizes the county government to proceed with the swearing-in ceremony for the deputy governor, who is expected to fill the vacancy left by Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, who resigned in February 2026.

Following Magwanga's resignation, Governor Gladys Wanga nominated Onyango , who worked at the county government, as the  County Executive Committee member for Roads and Public Works.

In a statement on March 16, Wanga said Onyango would still serve in his initial position and would also assume his new role as the county deputy boss upon approval by the county assembly.

"Pursuant to a vacancy in the office of the deputy governor in Homa Bay following the resignation by the previous holder, and in compliance with the county government act, I do hereby nominate Danish Otieno Onyango to serve as the deputy governor, subject to approval by the county assembly," Wanga said.

However, before the county assembly could vet and approve him, a petition was filed in the High Court in Homa Bay seeking to stop his approval and swearing-in, leaving Homa Bay County without a deputy governor.

The petitioners argued that the nomination did not comply with the law,  which required gender equity. According to them, the law requires that a public office should not be composed of holders who are more than two-thirds of one gender.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke