‘Tunakubali tunasema yaishe’- Simba Arati says Raila lost presidential poll, heaps praise on Ruto
Kisii Governor Simba Arati now says Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga lost the last presidential election to his Kenya Kwanza rival William Ruto.
Speaking during the thanksgiving celebration for Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu in Nyaribari Masaba, Kisii county on Friday, March 24, the outspoken ODM party governor said the elections are over and urged the local leadership to support President Ruto's development agenda.
Arati, a close ally of Raila from the Gusii region, said Azimio was confident of a win in the poll conducted on August 2022, but the Kenya Kwanza camp "proved us wrong".
"Deputy President (Rigathi Gachagua) tulikuwa na yeye bungeni alikuwa ananiambia Simba hii kitu ata mko na deep state tutashinda nyinyi nikamwambia hapana bana huwezi tushinda, lakini you proved us wrong. Kwa hivyo tunakubali tunasema yaishe tupeleke nchi yetu mbele," Arati said.
The former Dagoretti Member of Parliament heaped praise on the Head of State, saying he has the best interest of the people at heart.
"Ruto wewe uko ofisini kwa miaka mitano ukitushinda tena 2027 utakuwa ofisini kwa miaka kumi. Huyu raisi ukimwona kule nje utadhani ni mtu mbaya. Ako na roho nzuri. Kwa sababu ya ule umasikini umekulia na mahali umefika. Mungu abariki wewe," he added.
He thanked the President for appointing several leaders from the Kisii region to government in recent months and vowed to support various government projects in the region.
In his requests to the President, Arati urged the Kenya Kwanza government to prioritise its pledge to build an airport in Kisii as well as fast-track road projects in the region that has for many years been considered Raila's stronghold.
At the same time, Arati pledged to reach out to Raila to have a discussion with Ruto with the aim of ending the ongoing anti-government protests.
"Your excellency (Ruto) sisi tuko pamoja tutashirikiana nitaongea na baba. Tukae chini ndiposa tujenge taifa."
Arati said the demonstrations should be peaceful and within the law.
