Speaking in Suneka Tuesday, Arati accused James Ongwae of fighting proxy wars against him when he himself had failed as a governor.

“There was garbage everywhere, sleaze in every corner of the County when i came to office. These are the same people loitering around lecturing me and calling me an excrement. They are the very human waste they are abusing me around,” retorted Arati.

The County boss spoke while visiting Suneka market, a project that had remained stalled for years.

The Governor also inaugurated Motonto Market which has been under construction from the National Government.

The project visits have come hours away to meet two Senatorial committee – County Public Accounts Committee and the Devolution Committees for separate grillings over expenditure.

Arati had lately been a punching bag of growing critics, many now describing him as a flop.

A fortnight ago, the Senate Devolution Committee had called him asked him to explain the dismal absorptions of development funds by the administration.

He was to meet the committee Wednesday.

At home, the Governor continues to face mounting criticism from Senator Richard Onyonka, Woman Rep Donya Toto and lately Ongwae.

The three have since unveiled former Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital executive Dr Enoch Ondari to face Arati in the 2027 poll.

Arati has since dismissed the alliance saying it consists of a bunch of those who had angling to eat from County coffers.

On Tuesday, Arati maintained no cent would be frittered away to satiate anybody’s greed including them.

“I have fought hard fight to clean the mess but even as i do this i have heard whispers that I loosen the purse for some people to eat. There shall be no eating under my watch,” the combative governor said.

Arati said he was more intentional in making service more felt, fixing roads and constructing more ecde classes.

The post You are the axis of political evil in Kisii, Arati tells Ongwae  appeared first on KahawaTungu.

Also fingered was Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo.

So worrying is the trend that Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said they are mulling using the police to forcefully escort the pair during the next summons if need.

“It shows great contempt and if it is getting this low we can ask the Inspector General of Police to bring them to these sitings,” Cherargei warned.

Cherargei had tabled a statement in the House Wednesday morning to address the persistent abscondments by two governors from committee invitations.

Many of the County bosses, he observed, give flimsy grounds as albi for missing out on the invitations.

“The governors had not been giving plausible reasons and this significantly affect the Senate diary when they refuse to come,” Cherargei stated.

The Senators spoke of ‘insufficient cooperation’ by the two governors thus puncturing the House’s oversight efforts.

Arati is said to had refused to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) three times this year alone citing a busy travel engagement.

The Senate flagged his reasons as lacking sufficient justification.

Similarly, Guyo has failed to attend various committee sessions on various occasions.

Guyo only sends written responses and, reportedly, issuing threats to some senators.

Others senators also echoed Cherargei’s concerns.

They called for strong actions against what they deemed “emboldened” Governors who appear to dismiss Senate authority.

Some advocated for impeachment as as punishment so as to help in upholding Senate authority.

Cherargei said already the two rogue governors were setting a dangerous precedent of non-compliance.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who also serves in CPAC, spoke of open disdain of the Senate authority by the rogue governors.

Senator Cherargei’s statement emphasized the need for county leaders to uphold transparency and accountability, especially when summoned to answer pressing governance issues.

The senator, who is the Vice Chair of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), presented this statement with Senators present, each echoing the call for stricter adherence to Senate summons.

Senator Fatuma Dullo said the Governors were copying a bad example.

He accused the Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo of also issuing her with death threats.

The post Senate Flags Governors Arati, Guyo Over Committee Meeting Truancy appeared first on KahawaTungu.

“Yes, as we do the membership registration the focus still remains the same, going for the top job and am sure we shall defeat them,” the Kisii Governor spoke at a burial in Kisii.

“We have to try them… We must and we shall emerge winners this time,” Arati told mourners in Bonchari.

The party plans to undertake massive registration from 27 this month across the country as part of the advance efforts in clinching the 2027 presidency.

“I urge all of you to register that day… We shall win,” he said.

He separately hinted at attempting the presidency at some point soon .

“Kiti tutafuta tu… Msijali” loosely translating as” We shall go for the seat, don’t lose hope with us yet,” he said.

The former Dagoretti South MP also said as a party they are optimistic that the party leader Raila Odinga would clinch the African Union chair person seat.

“Baba has fought hard battles for this country and it would be the best interest of this country if he secures the seat.. Let’s all be supportive of his bid,” Arati said.

Speaking on his performance the governor said the war against graft in his administration has begun bearing fruits.

Citing improved revenue collections at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, Arati said by pushing out cartels and non performing executives when he entered office, the facility has since grown its revenues to over Sh200 m from the mere 47 million.

“There are still people going round tarnishing the reputation of the hospital… These are the same people who were supplying oxygen… I swear before you that we shall never go that direction again… And i wish Senator Richard Onyonka was here to listen to this,” the governor said.

Senator Onyonka has constantly raised concern in regarding to services at the facility.

Onyonka says KTRH is a death trap owing to lack of drugs.

Arati however told Onyonka off saying he should appreciate the ongoing efforts done to improve the hospital.

The post We Shall Defeat UDA in 2027, ODM Deputy Party Chair Says appeared first on KahawaTungu.

The Kisii Governor said while some of the Orange Party officials had since taken up cabinet positions in UDA party led government it should not be misconstrued to mean that ODM has jumped ship.

“We had only come on board to help unite our people and salvage the country from a political apocalypse that we were facing in the of the recent protests.”

“And if the country was to sink all of us were sinking together, ” Arati told a crowd that had turned up to welcome President William Ruto at Etago market in South Mugirango on Wednesday.

ODM, Arati went on, was supporting Ruto on principle adding that it was still very independent.

” ..By 2027 you can make a decision on your own and if these people will continue to pose headache for you in UDA, we welcome you back, you do the interview and you join us, you were among the ODM party founders nonetheless,” Arati told Ruto.

Arati separately told South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro that it will be for the common good of the residents to work together.

He said development will be realized faster when leaders work together.

Arati said people often respect leaders keen on building their region and not those divided by internecine squabbles and selfish interests.

By MAGATI OBEBO

The post You Can Join Us if They Sink Your Party – ODM Tells Ruto in Kisii  appeared first on KahawaTungu.

The party also retained Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as secretary general and the party spokesperson.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has been picked to replace John Mbadi as the national chairman.

The changes were made on Friday during the Central Management Committee meeting chaired by party leader Raila Odinga.

Raila chaired the meeting to unveil a new leadership lineup to fill vacant positions following the appointment to Cabinet of Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya and John Mbadi.

“The ODM Central Committee held a meeting this afternoon to deliberate on matters affecting the leadership of the Party in light of vacancies created in its leadership following the resignations of our two Deputy Party Leaders, our national Chairman, the Secretary for political affairs and a member of the Parties Elections Coordinating Committee.”

“Needless to say, these vacancies have attracted immense interest from across our membership,” Sifuna said.

He encouraged those who may not get the nod that there will always be space for all to contribute.

Kajiado East MP Kakuta Maimai was named Secretary for special programs and social welfare while Migori’s Rahab Robi was named Secretary of Publicity and Information

Rosa Buyu was appointed Secretary for Political Affairs, Ruth Odinga the Deputy Organizing Secretary, John Ariko the Vice Chairman and Otiende Amolo the Vice Chairman.

The post ODM Names Arati, Osotsi and Nassir New Deputy Party Leaders appeared first on KahawaTungu.

The nets are being distributed by the Ministry of Health to combat Malaria.

The Ministry of health renewed its efforts in the fight against malaria by issuing 18 million mosquito nets to 28 high-risk counties in the just concluded mass mosquito net distribution nationwide.

Arati said the MOH might not attain its target in the fight against malaria in achieving Universal Health Coverage in Kisii since 98 bales containing 3,920 treated mosquito nets in South Mugirango constituency and 82 bales containing 3,200 in Nyaribari Masaba went missing.

Some of the nets were recovered in Geteri village in Nyaribari Masaba at the weekend.

Arati wants security officers to conduct investigations and ensure the culprits are arrested and charged in a court of law.

“I request our security officers to investigate this matter and arrest the culprits who are joking with people’s health and making it difficult for the county to combat malaria,” he said.

Kenya has always observed the World Health Organization(WHO) recommendation of conducting mass LLINs distribution campaigns every three years to achieve universal coverage.

According to the Malaria Indicator Survey, malaria prevalence has reduced from eight percent in 2015 to six percent in 2020 nationally.

Currently, malaria is the most lethal mosquito-transmitted disease.

WHO reported an estimated 247 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2021 and 619,000 deaths.

Arati spoke at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital when he flagged off drugs worth Sh56 million for the first quarter of the year.

The governor noted the county has put up strong systems to monitor the movement of drugs right from the stores, to the pharmacies and patients.

“I will take stern action against any worker who will be involved in drug theft,” Arati warned.

The post Governor Arati Expresses Concern Over Theft of Mosquito Nets in Kisii appeared first on KahawaTungu.

The clash unfolded while Arati was distributing bursaries in South Mugirango. A group of youths, accompanied by the police, barged into the meeting as Arati addressed the audience, resulting in a confrontation that included gunshots and residents fleeing for safety. Four individuals sustained gunshot wounds, and Arati later claimed an attempt on his life, crediting divine intervention for his survival.

The incident drew condemnation from the Gusii community and the ODM party, where Arati holds a leadership position. Calls for Osoro’s arrest and charges echoed from these quarters. Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and regional leaders sought a consultative meeting to address the fallout, although Governor Arati declined to participate.

Also Read: ODM Expresses Grave Concerns Over Repeated Attacks on Governor Simba Arati’s Life

Osoro, in a video shared on social media, alleged that Arati’s team had vandalized his car, stolen public address equipment, and injured one of his drivers during a separate event in the area. This provocation, according to Osoro, prompted his team to confront Arati, leading to the ensuing fracas.

During the meeting with constituents, Osoro played a video clip on his phone to substantiate his claims and justify his team’s actions. He emphasized that they were compelled to defend themselves after being attacked by Arati’s supporters.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has called for a truce between the two parties and endorsed CS Machogu’s proposal for dialogue. Meanwhile, MCAs aligned with Arati have called for demonstrations in Bobasi sub-county, Arati’s home region, demanding Osoro’s arrest and arraignment. The MCAs drew parallels with a past incident involving Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, who was arrested for assaulting an MCA, advocating for a similar outcome for Osoro.

The post Political Turmoil Unfolds as MP Silvanus Osoro Reveals Provocation Behind Clash with Governor Arati appeared first on KahawaTungu.

The ODM Party has documented two major incidents that have raised alarm within its ranks. The first incident occurred on June 6, 2023, during the funeral of the father of MCA Paul Okombo Ayiema for Boikanga Ward in South Mugirango. The area MP, Sylvanus Osoro, allegedly unleashed violence with his associates, shooting arrows at mourners in the presence of the police. Governor Arati, the intended target, was safely evacuated by his security team. Despite being reported at Nyamarambe Police Station, no known culprits have been brought to justice.

The second incident took place on January 8, 2024, when armed men, later identified as police officers, disrupted a meeting where Governor Arati was issuing bursary forms in Nyakembene, South Mugirango. Gunshots were fired, resulting in injuries and panic among attendees. Shockingly, the gunmen were identified as Police Constable Kevin Langat, Simon Murithi, and Peter Muge, the latter two stationed at Nyanchwa Police Station. Kevin Langat, allegedly attached to MP Sylvanus Osoro, has reportedly been transferred to Parliament Police Station.

Also Read: Gen Ogolla, IG Koome Visit Baringo After Deadly Banditry Attacks 

The ODM Party condemns the brazenness of these attacks in a country that claims to uphold the rule of law. The party has expressed dissatisfaction with the apparent silence from the Chief Security Secretary, the Inspector General of Police, and the entire security apparatus, suggesting a possible state-sponsored violence.

Amidst the public outcry and potential backlash, the ODM alleges that the Kisii police, led by County Commander Charles Kases, are planning a diversionary raid on Governor Arati’s residence under the guise of searching for firearms.

In response to these disturbing events, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary General of ODM on behalf of the party, has made the following demands:

1. Immediate transfer of the Kisii Police County Commander.
2. Interdiction and investigation of officers identified in the attacks.
3. At the very minimum, MP Sylvanus Osoro should be asked to record a statement.
4. Immediate commencement of investigations by the Independent Police Oversight
5. Authority into the abuse of police power in Kisii County.

The ODM Party has given a 14-day ultimatum for these actions to be taken, warning that failure to do so will compel the party to explore alternative avenues to ensure law and order in Kisii. Additionally, the party has issued a stern warning that should any harm befall Governor Arati, the named individuals, including Hon. Osoro, Charles Kases, and the Inspector General of Police, will be held personally responsible.

The post ODM Expresses Grave Concerns Over Repeated Attacks on Governor Simba Arati’s Life appeared first on KahawaTungu.

The opposition party through its Council Executive Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya asked the Kenya Kwanza government to cease and desist from harassing county chiefs.

Oparanya said the incident was an act of abuse of power and office.

The former Kakamega Governor further alleged that the Monday morning was meant to force Arati to support a particular side.

“Even more baffling is the attempt by the police to command to brush off this bizarre incident with a mediocre explanation that only abuses the intelligence of Kenyans,” Oparanya said.

Read: Kisii Police Boss Denies Raid on Arati’s Office, Says Officers were Resting at Stadium

“The Kisii incident is a continuation of a growing pattern of the Kenya Kwanza administration misusing national government institutions like investigative agencies and security apparatus to intimidate and blackmail governors.”

The opposition also said the act undermined and was a threat to devolution.

“As a believer in Devolution, Azimio will stand with governors and county governments regardless of political affiliation whenever we feel they are being brought under undue pressure for political reasons. The party stands with H. E Arati and encourages him to remain firm, principled and focused.”

A contingent of General Service Unit officers is said to have blocked the entrance to Governor Arati’s office.

According to Arati, the officers who had blocked the entrance to his office informed him that they were resting.

Read Also: Special Police Squad in Kisii to Probe Bodaboda Gangs Terrorizing Locals

“I alighted from the vehicle, greeted them and asked where their leader was and why they were there, but they did not tell me until when their leaders came,” Arati said.

“When I talked to them and asked what they were doing at the stadium, they told me they were resting so I wondered how they were resting yet they had taken positions at every entrance to my office.”

The post Azimio Condemns Alleged Raid at Simba Arati’s Office appeared first on KahawaTungu.

The party’s National Executive Council (NEC) on Friday replaced six officials.

“The following are the changes made to the membership of the party’s NEC. This follows resignations/defections by the former holders of the positions,” ODM said.

The Raila Odinga-led party named Arati the National deputy chairperson, replacing former Kisii county Woman representative Janet Ong’era who left for the ruling party, UDA.

Read: ODM Kicks Out Jalang’o, Four Other ‘Rebel’ MPs from Party

Catherine Omanyo is the new deputy secretary general, replacing former Busia Woman representative Florence Mutua.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi becomes the deputy organising secretary, replacing Zulekha Hassan while  Fatuma Masito takes over as the deputy National Treasurer.

Masito replaces Ogla Karani.

In the changes, Migori Senator Eddie Oketch becomes the new secretary for Humanitarian and Disaster Management affairs. The position was previously held by Bob Njagi.

Elsie Muhanda replaces Justus Kizito as the secretary for security.

The post Simba Arati Named ODM’s National Deputy Chairperson in Leadership Changes appeared first on KahawaTungu.