Gladys Wanga thrashes Evans Kidero in Homa Bay Governor race

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Gladys Wanga as the winner of Homa Bay County Governor contest.

According to the electoral body, Wanga attained 244,059 votes to floor closest rival, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who came in second with 152,182 votes.

Wanga led in seven out of eight constituencies in the county, with Kidero – who vied on an independent ticket - only leading in Homa Bay Town constituency with a 2,000 vote margin.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party candidate Mark Rabudi came last with 1,244 votes in the race to succeed outgoing Governor Cyprian Awiti who has served for two five-year terms.

Wanga, who exits as the County Woman Representative, now becomes the first female governor in Nyanza region that has six counties.

Speaking after the IEBC announcement, Wanga thanked her supporters for turning up at the ballot in large numbers to elect her into office.

She likewise extended an olive branch to Kidero, highlighting that she is ready to put their political differences aside if it means Homa Bay residents will benefit from the truce.

"To our worthy competitors, we ask that now that the election is over we should keep it behind us. You had an agenda for Homa Bay, we had an agenda as well. Let's come together, let's work together and serve the people of Homa Bay," she said.

"To the people of Homa Bay, it doesn't matter if you voted for us or not, let us move the county to the next level together."

In the Homa Bay Senator race, Moses Kajwang successfully retained his seat after garnering 352,882 votes while Joyce Atieno Bensouda clinched the Woman Representative seat to replace Wanga after getting 284,348 votes.