Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has named eleven people as members of her cabinet and assigned her deputy Oyugi Magwanga a portfolio.
Wanga gave Magwanga the additional responsibility of heading the agriculture and livestock department.
The nomination also saw all executive members who worked with her predecessor Cyprian Awiti sent home.
In a Tuesday evening press release, Wanga also named the people who will serve as advisors and other officers in the executive office of the governor.
Wanga argued that she took the initiative after conducting suitability tests on the proposed nominees.
“The nominations have taken great consideration of both regional and gender balance. We further accommodated areas of growth for Homa Bay like the Blue Economy and Climate Change,” Wanga said.
In what appeared to have rewarded those who helped her campaign and loyalists, Wanga named Roseline Omollo to head the Health department, Martin Opere (Education).
She also named Danish Onyango (Roads), Solomon Okello (Finance) and Joash Aloo (Water).
Others are Polycarp Okombo (Trade), Peter Ogolla (Land), Grace Osewe (Governance and communication), John Agili (Blue Economy &Fisheries) and Sarah Malit (Gender).
She added that she has sent the list to the county assembly for approval.
“I trust that the named persons once approved by the assembly will serve the people diligently and with utmost dedication,” she said.
The governor appointed advisors whom she argued will further enhance the effective functioning of her office.
The advisors are Royal Media journalist Charles Odhiambo (Chief of Staff), Erastus Randusi (Chief of Protocol), lawyer Silas Jakakimba (Legal Affairs), former Gwassi South MCA Nicholas Ayieta (Political Affairs), Paul Onditi (Blue economy advisor), the county Knut chairman Patrick Were (Education stakeholder’s management) and Silas Rabah (Youth Affairs).
Others are Rachel Ogutu who will be the governor’s spokesperson, Kanyach Kachar chief Bernard Omuga (security and intelligence), George Mboya (political advisor in the deputy governor’s office) and The Star Newspaper columnist Okech Kendo (climate change advisor).
Wanga further appointed liaison officers who will link her office to members of the public.
They are Erick Jakim who links youths, Suba BMU chairman William Onditi (beach management), Collins Kalee (spoRts), Kennedy Dede (boda boda), Magdalene Owino (women) and Lucy Odwar (Persons with disability).
Others are Daniel Onyango, Thomas Omondi Ayieko and Jared Omollo.
The majority of those who got appointed helped Wanga during election campaigns as some are close allies. For Example Opere and Were helped her in seeking votes from teachers.
“I am committed to ensuring the living standards of the people of Homa Bay are improved,” she said.