Kenya’s political scene has become a mirror of hypocrisy, and Gladys Wanga’s recent actions only prove how deep that problem runs.
While she parades herself as a defender of decency and unity, her behavior tells another story a leader driven by self-interest, selective outrage, and tribal posturing.
Her outburst against Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga after his reckless comments about the late Raila Odinga could have been a chance to show maturity and leadership. Instead, she turned it into a spectacle, pushing the country further into ethnic tension.
Kahiga’s remarks were undeniably wrong, but Wanga’s decision to declare that Rigathi Gachagua should never set foot in Nyanza was a dangerous and divisive move that stripped away any moral high ground she pretends to have.
For someone who chairs a national party, Wanga’s response exposed her hypocrisy. The Constitution protects every Kenyan’s right to move freely across the country, yet she acted as though she owns regions and can draw invisible borders based on tribe.
Her words did not heal or condemn hate they inflamed it. It’s as if she thrives on political drama instead of genuine leadership. Such remarks deepen old scars between communities and show just how easily leaders like her use ethnic emotions as tools for survival.
Instead of focusing on unity, she chose confrontation. That is not courage it’s recklessness dressed up as principle.
Her inconsistency runs even deeper. While she loudly attacked Kahiga and linked Gachagua to tribal politics, she has stayed silent on issues far more serious. During the Gen Z protests, when young Kenyans were being brutalized for demanding accountability, Wanga told her region’s youth to stay away.
That was the moment real leadership was needed when the country’s youth were crying out for change. But rather than stand with them, she played safe politics. Even when she briefly condemned police killings on social media, she deleted her statement soon after, right after her husband reportedly lost his job at EPRA.
That silence spoke louder than any speech showing her loyalty to power, not principle. Wanga’s double standards don’t end there. She has been more focused on positioning herself as a defender of the Ruto administration than solving problems back home in Homa Bay.
County residents continue to complain about stalled projects, weak management, and misplaced priorities. Yet, she finds more time for national drama and tribal posturing than for delivering the services her people elected her for.
Her leadership has become a stage performance loud on talk, short on results.
Even in moments that call for empathy, she struggles to show sincerity. In the past, she has been accused of turning moments of grief into political publicity. Forcing bereaved families to praise leaders on camera shows a deep disconnect from human decency. It paints a picture of a leader who values image over integrity.
Wanga’s recent behavior is a reminder that Kenya’s biggest problem isn’t the lack of laws or institutions it’s leaders who say one thing and do the opposite. Her ban on Gachagua and her selective anger reveal that her politics is less about justice and more about staying relevant. She has chosen the easy path of stoking divisions instead of the harder task of uniting people.
Kenya is tired of politicians who exploit emotions while pretending to care. Wanga can’t keep calling out others for tribalism while practicing the same. If she truly wants to be a national leader, she must start leading by example by respecting all Kenyans, not just those who serve her political interests.
