Governor Gladys Wanga has plunged herself into controversy after abruptly firing her Chief of Staff, Charles Odhiambo, just days after denying allegations of an affair with him.
The timing of the dismissal has only fueled speculation that Wanga is trying to contain a scandal that has already started damaging her reputation. If there was no truth to the affair claims, why the sudden decision to sack Odhiambo?
The entire situation raises more questions than answers, and Wanga’s attempts to dismiss it as mere propaganda are becoming harder to believe.In a letter dated March 28, 2025, Wanga accused Odhiambo of gross misconduct, unethical behavior, and insubordination, claiming that his actions had tarnished the reputation of her office and the entire Homa Bay County Government.
However, the letter does not provide any concrete details about what Odhiambo allegedly did wrong. If he was truly guilty of misconduct, why wasn’t he disciplined earlier? Why now, just after rumors of an affair started spreading?
The lack of transparency in her decision makes it appear that the real issue was the public embarrassment she suffered rather than any professional wrongdoing by Odhiambo.
What makes this situation even more suspicious is the report that Odhiambo was attacked by goons allegedly sent by Wanga’s husband. Although Odhiambo later denied being hospitalized, the fact that such allegations surfaced at all suggests that there is more going on behind the scenes.
Why would people believe such a story if there was no basis for it? Even if Odhiambo is now trying to downplay the incident, it’s possible that he is doing so under pressure.
Wanga’s decision to fire him immediately after these rumors only adds to the belief that something serious happened, something she does not want the public to know.
Wanga’s public response to these allegations has been dismissive. While in New York attending the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), she posted a brief message calling the affair rumors propaganda and saying she was focused on her work.
But simply calling something propaganda does not make it go away. The people of Homa Bay deserve clear and honest leadership, not vague denials and abrupt dismissals. Her response suggests a leader more interested in controlling the narrative than in providing the truth.
If she truly had nothing to hide, why not address the issue openly instead of pretending it does not exist? What is also striking about this scandal is the irony of Wanga’s leadership style. She has always positioned herself as a strong, transparent, and accountable leader. Yet when faced with personal controversy, her first instinct was to fire someone and shut down any discussions.
This raises serious doubts about whether she is genuinely committed to good governance or just another politician who will do anything to protect her image. If this is how she handles a scandal involving one of her closest aides, how does she handle bigger issues affecting the people of Homa Bay? How many other things is she covering up?
Beyond the personal drama, this situation speaks to a larger problem in Wanga’s administration. The way she handled this issue shows a lack of accountability, transparency, and respect for public trust.
Leadership is not about suppressing scandals but about addressing them honestly and directly. By firing Odhiambo without giving the public a clear explanation, she has only made the controversy worse.
She may have thought this move would silence the speculation, but instead, it has only amplified it. Ultimately, this incident leaves Wanga’s reputation in question. The people of Homa Bay elected her to lead with integrity, not to dodge scandals and sweep uncomfortable issues under the rug.
Firing Odhiambo does not answer any questions it only raises more. If Wanga thought this would make the problem go away, she has miscalculated. The people are watching, and they deserve the truth.
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