Simba Arati among young leaders who beat Gusii old guards in polls

Kisii Governor-elect Simba Arati led a generational change in the just concluded general election which saw youthful leaders elected in Kisii and Nyamira counties.

In Kisii, Arati, 41, bagged the governor’s seat throwing Kisii town into a frenzy on Friday night while former Egesa FM presenter Dorice Donya Aburi, 40, clinched the Woman Representative seat after defeating Janet Ongera. Aburi garnered 190,276 votes against Ong’era’s 59,595 votes.

Other youthful politicians who won seats are Japheth Nyakundi, 33, (Kitutu Chache North), Obadiah Barongo, 42, (Bomachoge Borabu) Zaheer Jhanda, 40, (Nyaribari Chache), and Anthony Kibagendi, 40, (Kitutu Chache South).

Former Kenya Ports Authority managing director Daniel Manduku, 50, bagged the Nyaribari Masaba seat.

Sylvanus Osoro, 33, of South Mugirango retained his seat while Bomachoge Chache’s Alfah Miruka, 44, was also re-elected.

In Nyamira, Clive Ombane Gisairo 40, was also elected while in West Mugirango, Steve Mogaka was elected after four attempts.

In Borabu, Patrick Osero was also elected after four attempts.

North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko of UDA is the only MP who was re-elected.

Gisairo termed the election of youthful leaders a revolution and asked them not to let down voters.

“I’m very impressed with the way voters elected youthful faces. This gives hope to young people,” said Gisairo in an interview with the Star.

In Kisii, Simba, the outgoing Dagoretti North MP, trounced outgoing senator Sam Ongeri, 83, Chris Obure, 76, and Ezekiel Machogu (in his late 60’s) sending them to eminent retirement from active politics.

Arati garnered 270, 928 votes against Machogu, 82, who got 104 votes. Nyamweya was third with 32, 537 votes.

Ongeri and Obure performed dismally with Obure getting 9,735, and Ongeri 6,782.

Machogu, however, said he is likely to challenge Arati’s win in court.

However, Ongeri and Bishop Josiah Biyogo conceded and congratulated Arati immediately after he was declared the winner.

Outgoing Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka of ODM was elected senator with 173, 189 votes while former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara of Jubilee Party came second with 121, 339.

Former Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi came third with 54, 473 votes.