Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga surprised residents on how she managed to get a "key" which former Governor Cyprian Awiti kept on his body.

Since governor campaigns began in the county, residents have been eager to know the gubernatorial aspirant would grab the key from Awiti.

The contest had attracted nine aspirants who were eyeing the seat.

They included Wanga, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, businessman Jared Kiasa, ODM National Chairman John Mbadi, former County Secretary Isaiah Ogwe, businessman Luis Ogingo, KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori and Homa Bay Finance CECM Nicholas K'Oriko.

But Awiti kept telling the contestants that he was the one who would to determine who would become the next governor of Homa Bay.

He metaphorically represented the governorship with a "key".

Awiti said the key was kept at a very safely and secret place where nobody other than him could access.

And whoever, would access the key would only do so through his consent.

The fact that Awiti kept the key in a secret place was not a surprise. But the surprise was where he had kept it.

During the burial of former Homa Bay County Council chairman Origa Opiyo at Ratang'a village in Ndhiwa Constituency in June 2021, Awiti amused residents when he revealed where he had kept the key.

"People out here are bragging that they want to become the next governor. But they should know that the key to the governorship is in my hands and kept at a place nobody other than me, can reach. I have kept it in my scrotum," said Awiti, implying that nobody would succeed him without his consent.

And during her campaigns, Wanga appealed to Awiti to accord her the key. Even though Awiti looked reluctant, some events implied that he would one day hand over the key to Wanga.

In December 2021,a group of elders in Karachuonyo Constituency, where Awiti hails from, convened a meeting in which they endorsed Wanga.

In that meeting, the chairman of Luo Council of Elders in Karachuonyo Constituency Magayi Jonyo handed over a key to Wanga. The key symbolised the one that Awiti had kept in his body, giving Wanga political mileage.

Today, it is evident that Wanga used her wits to remove the key from where Awiti kept it.

This became evident on August 25 when Wanga took oath of office as the second governor of Homa Bay County.

Soon after taking the oath, Awiti went to the podium revealing that he participated in ensuring Wanga succeeded him.

"People used to tell me to support Wanga in her gubernatorial bid. I also heeded, put all my efforts which yielded the success we are witnessing today," Awiti said.