Governor Arati says President Ruto won fairly, urges him to unite country
Kisii Governor Simba Arati warmed up to President William Ruto during his tour of the county boss' home turf on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
Arati, a member of the opposition's ODM party, defied his leader Raila Odinga to declare that the Head of State won fairly in last year's presidential election.
“Rais kidemokrasia ulitushinda kura. Nataka nikuulize ulikuwa na ODM ukatembea na Baba (Raila) baada ya mambo kuwa mbaya ukahepa ukaenda kwa Uhuru (retired President Uhuru Kenyatta) sababu ulikuwa na msimamo. Sahii weee ni rais," Arati said.
Speaking during an interdenominational prayer service at Nyanturago Stadium, Arati vowed to work with the national government to bring development to Kisii residents.
“Mimi kama Gavana wa Kisii niko tayari kufanya kazi na serikali kuu. Kwa sababu kama gavana I need to work with the National government for the sake of development,” he stated.
At the same time, he urged the President to unite the country by extending an olive branch to the opposition chief.
Dialogue, the governor averred, was the only solution to the standoff that recently saw Raila call for street demonstrations to protest against the rising cost of living and alleged electoral injustices.
While calling for tolerance among the political class, Arati dismissed claims that the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader is after a handshake akin to the political truce between the former prime minister and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta that saw the duo work together during the second term of the Jubilee administration.
“Siasa lazima iwe na Adabu kiasi...Your Excellency you are the President of the Republic, we still look up to you, viongozi tuwe na subra hakuna malaika atashuka kutoka mbinguni ni sisi ndio tutasaidia watu wetu,” he noted.
The county boss also threw his weight behind the Kenya Kwanza government's affordable housing plan, aimed at uplifting low-income earners, as well as development agenda in the Nyanza region.
“If there is anything that can be done around Housing in Kisii we shall support. Mambo na uwanja wa ndege ni muhimu sana; tuko na uwanja ambao tuko nayo wa Nyangusu...na itaconnect three counties,” Arati said.
