- Arati said thrice since being elected, he has been intimidated by armed police and goons allied to leaders close to the government in the county, calling on the president to come out clean as the head of state.
- “I just want to ask President William Ruto, what I have done to him individually as Arati?” the governor said.
Image: MANUEL ODENY
Kisii governor Simba Arati has asked President William Ruto to come clean on why police have been used to intimidate him.
Arati said thrice since being elected, he has been intimidated by armed police and goons allied to leaders close to the government in the county, calling on the president to come out clean as the head of state.
“I just want to ask President William Ruto, what I have done to him individually as Arati?” the governor said.
He said he is the national vice chairman of the ODM party and a staunch supporter of leader Raila Odinga, which will never change.
“We have several meetings like here when legislators come out with officers and goons with guns and arrows and attack people including elderly and those living with a disability,” Arati said.
The governor narrated three incidents in the county where he has been intimidated by police and those with guns who have attempted to take his life.
Recently, the governor said he was in South Mugirango constituency giving bursary forms to members of the public when they were attacked/
“We heard gunshots, I am not afraid and wanted to ask what was happening but my bodyguards insisted I move only for someone seated behind me to be shot,” Arati said.
In another episode, he said he was also shocked once when he walked to his office and found six lorries of General Service Unit officers camping in his office saying they had come to rest there.
He said there have been plans to plant illegal guns in his compound at night.
He said the president should instruct the officers to come and raid his house in broad daylight instead.
“I live in the village with ordinary Kenyans, I only ask the government to come into my compound in broad daylight to avert death and bloodshed at night,” Arati said.
He said his stance against corruption in the county, especially at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital which used to collect Sh47 million within three months to now over Sh200 million has caused his tribulations.
“I want to tell the government that even if I am shot at, intimidated or jailed I will continue to serve Kisii as the governor, as ODM vice chairman I insist that Nyanza is our bedroom and we will defend that politically at all cost,” he said.
He said when he was the Dagoretti North MP and leader in Nairobi he was known to be a firebrand leader and rouble rouser, traits he toned down when he was elected governor.
“I have people who have been asking me why I have chosen to be a gentleman despite being attacked severally, but I say even when a lion is rained on it remains a lion, not a cat,” Arati said.
He called on Kenyans of faith to pray for him so that he could be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ because “I am facing great challenges some even to my life”.
Arati was speaking on Friday at Rongo University grounds when he attended Makabong’o’s funeral in the event attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga and other leaders.
Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko, Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi and other party leaders called on police not to be misused by politicians and leaders to harass Kenyans.
“When police are called to a crime scene and tackle criminals they take ages, but respond with amazing speed to attack opposition leaders. I have said that in Siaya no leader from UDA will talk in my function,” Orengo said.
Makabong’o was born in 1956 and died on December 24 while receiving treatment in a local hospital.
In 2002 he unsuccessfully vied as the Rongo MP before he took up ODM party leadership, rising to the county chairmanship.