Gladys Wanga has come under renewed public scrutiny after an old controversy surrounding a demolished animal feeds factory in Homa Bay resurfaced online, sparking fresh debate about how county governments prioritise development projects.
The controversy dates back to a decision made after Wanga took over as Homa Bay Governor. The animal feeds factory had been started during the previous administration and was reportedly at an advanced stage by the time she assumed office.
The project was said to have cost about KSh100 million and was expected to support farmers, create employment and contribute to the county’s economy.
However, instead of completing the project, the county government moved to clear the structure. The decision later attracted criticism, especially after plans emerged to use the site for a new office block for the governor and senior county officials.
County officials defended the decision, saying the factory building had serious shortcomings. They stated that the structure had been built too close to Kabunde Airstrip and did not have the required approvals. The county government also described the project as a stalled development and said the animal feeds plant would instead be moved to another location.
Despite the explanation, the decision did not sit well with some residents and activists. Critics questioned why a nearly completed project with the potential to benefit farmers and create jobs had to be demolished instead of being completed or redesigned.
The issue has now returned to public attention, with social media users revisiting the images and reports surrounding the demolition.
Some have expressed frustration over what they see as misplaced priorities by county leadership.
For many critics, the main concern is not simply the demolition itself but what replaced the project. The idea of removing an industrial facility that could support agricultural activities and replacing it with offices for county officials has been viewed as a symbol of the wider challenges facing development in Homa Bay.
The debate has also been linked to the issue of marginalisation. Some online comments have sarcastically referred to the decision as happening “due to marginalisation”, in which during the Linda Mwananchi rally had exposed the bad state of the roads whereby Wanga issued a statement saying the state of the reads was due to marginalization.
Wanga’s administration has maintained that the decision was based on practical considerations. Officials have argued that the structure was unsuitable for its intended purpose and that the land needed to be put to better use.
They have also maintained that the animal feeds project was not completely abandoned but was moved to another site.
The matter also attracted legal attention, with activists challenging aspects of the process in court. Questions were raised over public participation and whether procurement and other legal requirements were properly followed.
The controversy has therefore grown beyond the fate of one factory. It has become part of a wider conversation about what county governments should prioritise when making decisions involving public land and resources.
Devolution was introduced with the expectation that counties would bring development closer to ordinary citizens. For many residents, that means seeing factories operate, farmers access markets, young people find jobs and local businesses grow.
An office block can provide better working conditions for government officials, but a functioning industrial project can have a direct impact on thousands of families.
That difference explains why the demolition continues to attract attention years later.
The renewed debate is also a reminder that decisions made by leaders can remain part of the public conversation long after construction work is completed.
