Governor's Office
I am deeply honoured and humbled by the solemn dignity of the office that the good people of Homa Bay County have elected me. I assure you all, that I shall uphold the highest traditions of this exalted position, and will work for the principles that are sacred to our democratic values.
The Governor of Homa Bay County
Hon. Gladys was born on March 7, 1981, to John Nyasuna, an astute politician who was a long-serving Councilor and Chairperson in the now-defunct Kisumu County Council, and Grace Olum, a disciplinarian and a hardworking business lady. The first girl and child born of seven brought up in the humble estate of Wang’aya in Kisumu County, Gladys Wanga has overcome many odds to become a woman of firsts.
In 2003, she was elected as the first female Secretary-General of the Student’s Union at Kenyatta University.
In 2013 she was elected as the first Woman Representative for Homa Bay County and re-elected in 2017 unopposed. From 2013 to 2017, she served as a Commissioner in the Parliamentary Service Commission making her the first woman Commissioner from Nyanza Region. In 2015, she was elected as the Orange Democratic Movement Party’s Chairperson for Homa Bay County, a fiercely aggressive position that no woman has ever contested for.
In 2020 she scored another first when she was appointed Chair of the Finance and National Planning Committee of the Kenya National Assembly, the first woman to hold the position in Kenya.
Wanga attributes her love for politics to her father who made sure she tagged along on his campaign trails from a young age. She attended Kisumu Girls’ High School where she served as the head girl; her advocacy for social justice for fellow students earned her a suspension. In 2005, she married George Wanga; together, they have two children.
Wanga is a holder of a MSc and an BSc in Health Management from Kenyatta University. She served as a project manager at the Trust for African Rock Art and later at Liverpool VCT health for 10 years cumulatively.
After Graduating from Kenyatta University, she embarked on her political journey by engaging in ODM party politics. As she pursued her political career, Gladys gave her fair share of expertise and dedicated time to the party excelling as always. For instance, in the 2017 elections, she headed the Nyanza Presidential Campaign team for the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. In 2018 she was appointed as Secretary to the ODM Central Management Committee.
Gladys is among the ranking founders who spearheaded the Embrace Kenya movement to popularize the Building Bridges Initiative and the Handshake Between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the People’s President Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga.
Office of the Governor
