Pressure is steadily mounting on Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga as sections of residents continue raising concerns over development, service delivery and the overall direction of county leadership.
Across different parts of the county, many wananchi now say they are yet to feel the full benefits of devolution despite Homa Bay receiving billions of shillings from the national government every financial year.
The growing criticism is being driven by frustrations from traders, youth, professionals and local leaders who believe the county possesses enormous economic potential that remains largely underutilized.
Many residents argue that Homa Bay has the natural resources, tourism attractions and strategic location needed to become one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, yet basic challenges continue affecting ordinary people years after devolution began.
One of the issues that continues attracting criticism is the persistent shortage of clean and reliable water in Homa Bay town and nearby areas.
Residents say it is difficult to understand how a county located along the shores of Lake Victoria still struggles to supply households with clean water consistently.
In some areas, locals reportedly go for days without running water despite several projects having been launched over the years.
For many frustrated residents, the water crisis has become a symbol of poor planning, stalled implementation and weak maintenance systems within the county government.
Critics argue that some projects begin with public launches and political celebrations but later become inactive once technical problems emerge or equipment breaks down.
Questions are also being raised about county spending and accountability. Critics accuse the county leadership of focusing heavily on publicity while ordinary residents continue dealing with poor roads, limited job opportunities, struggling health facilities and high levels of youth unemployment.
Others claim the county government often takes credit for projects associated with the national government while avoiding detailed explanations about how devolved funds are being utilized.
Another issue fueling dissatisfaction is the behavior of some county enforcement officers.
Many allege that certain officers behave more like political mobilizers than professional public servants during the governor’s tours across different sub-counties.
Some residents claim criticism of county leadership is increasingly treated as political hostility instead of democratic accountability.
The political environment within the county has also become increasingly tense. Opponents accuse Governor Wanga’s allies of attacking and intimidating critics online and during public engagements.
Particular attention has been directed at Richard Ogindo, with some residents accusing him of focusing more on political confrontations than addressing development challenges facing his ward.
Concerns over favoritism and internal ODM politics continue emerging ahead of future elections. Critics claim there are attempts to influence party nominations in favor of politically connected individuals and close allies, raising debate about fairness and internal democracy within the county.
Questions surrounding procurement and tender allocation have also become part of the broader public discussion.
Critics allege that politically connected individuals continue benefiting from county opportunities while many local contractors struggle to access fair opportunities.
Additional concerns have emerged over the dismissal of some county employees, including former Chief of Staff Charles Odhiambo, with some residents calling for transparency regarding such high-level administrative changes.However, perhaps the strongest frustration among many residents centers on Homa Bay’s untapped tourism potential. Locals say the county possesses major attractions including Ruma National Park, Mbita, islands within Lake Victoria and rich cultural heritage that could significantly transform the local economy if properly developed and marketed.
Many believe Homa Bay has the potential to compete with some of Kenya’s leading tourism destinations if serious investment is directed toward infrastructure, marketing and hospitality development.
Instead, they say economic opportunities continue slipping away while many young people remain unemployed.Still, supporters of Governor Wanga maintain that development takes time and argue that her administration has initiated projects in several sectors.
They also insist that criticism is expected as political competition intensifies ahead of future elections and shifting alliances within the county.
The growing public debate reflects deeper concerns among ordinary residents who say they expected devolution to improve services, create jobs and stimulate local economic growth.
For many wananchi, the biggest question remains whether county resources are being used in ways that truly improve the daily lives of the people of Homa Bay.
