Kisii Governor-elect Arati to be sworn in next Thursday

Newly elected Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his deputy Robert Monda will be sworn in on Thursday next week.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Gusii Stadium from 10am to 2pm, according to a gazette notice by County Secretary Patrick Lumumba who is the chairman of the Assumption of Office of the County Governor Committee.

“Following successful conclusion the general election and subsequent declaration of governor-elect, the assumption of office committee will facilitate handing over and prepare for the swearing in of governor and his deputy,” said Lumumba in a statement.

He added that preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are in top gear. Lumumba hailed the Kisii residents for conducting themselves peacefully during and after the general election.

According to Assumption of the Office of Governor Act, 2019, swearing-in of the Governor-elect should be held on the 1st Thursday after the 10th day following the declaration of the final results, in a public ceremony before a High Court judge.”

Already, Chief Justice Martha Koome has gazetted Justice Teresia Matheka and magistrate Stella Abuya to conduct the ceremony.

It’s however unclear if outgoing governor James Ongwae will officially hand over to Arati. The two had a frosty relationship in the run-up to the general election.

Arati floored five other opponents including political bigwigs outgoing senator Sam Ongeri, former senator Chris Obure, outgoing Nyaribari Masaba MP Ezekiel Machogu and former South Mugirango MP Manson Oyongo to clinch the seat.

The law requires the outgoing governor to hand the county flag, the county coat of arms, the constitution, and the county public seal to the governor-elect. The governor-elect will then assume office upon receiving the instruments of power.

After swearing in, the Council of Governors  will facilitate an intensive induction for the county leadership, in order to guide them on their duties, government policies and procedure.