Osoro threatens to sue Arati over remarks linking him to Kisii shooting
South Mugirango Member of Parliament Silvanus Osoro is now threatening to sue Kisii Governor Simba Arati over his recent utterances linking the legislator to a shootout that left at least four people injured early this month.
Osoro, in an interview with a local TV station, distanced himself from the chaos witnessed at the event where the county boss was presiding over the release of Ward bursary fund on January 8.
The MP denied the governor's claims that he was seen alighting from his vehicle with an AK 47 rifle before the fracas.
He said he would drag the governor to court for defamation.
"The case of the Kisii conflict does not concern me. The person to blame is Governor Simba Arati. The investigation is ongoing and the truth will be known. The governor said that he saw me getting out of the car with an AK-47 but I don't even know what the gun looks like," Osoro stated.
"I will be heading to court to seek general damages from the governor for damaging my reputation."
Arati, on his part, maintained that the MP should be arrested and prosecuted over his role in the chaos that also led to damage to cars and other property.
"Before MP Sylvanus Osoro goes to court, the police must arrest him so that justice can be done. The truth is that the violence started after he arrived and this is not the first issue," Arati said.
On the fateful day, Governor Arati had started speaking when rowdy youth invaded the meeting at Nyakembene market in Boikanga Ward before gunshots rent the air.
Security teams were forced to lob teargas canisters to disperse residents after a confrontation ensued between persons believed to be supporters of Arati and the area MP.
Arati dismisses calls for truce
Over the weekend, Governor Arati dismissed a multi-sectoral consultative meeting convened by Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu to address escalating insecurity in the county.
Besides addressing the issue of insecurity, the meeting is also intended to reconcile Arati with South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro.
The governor said he would not attend the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 17 at an unknown place, saying that the CS had not embraced him as the duly elected governor.
“I defeated him and President William Ruto appointed him as Cabinet Secretary,” Arati said at Nyansakia Catholic church, Bomachoge Chache Constituency on Saturday during Silver Jubilee celebration for Sister Mary Margaret graced by Bishop Joseph Mairura.
He alleged that Machogu was aware of those who had planned chaos at Nyakembene market.
“Let the law take its course. Even in Somalia where there is no government, shots are not fired haphazardly except by Alshabaab, “ Arati said.
The political rivalry between Arati and Osoro became apparent at the height of the 2022 election campaigns.
At the time, Osoro, who doubles up as Majority Whip in the National Assembly, was leading presidential campaigns for President William Ruto in Kisii while Arati was drumming up support for opposition leader Raila Odinga.
At one time, the two leaders engaged in a fistfight during the burial of the father of the then Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi in February 2021. The event was attended by both Ruto and Raila.
