Already the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has slotted him an appearance on December 4, 2024.

The County Public Accounts Committee, on the other hand, has committed to host him the subsequent day of December 5.

On both appearances, Arati will be grilled on development expenditures.

The Devolution Committee is especially searching for answers on the County’s dismally low budgetary expenditure on development.

They had since sent Governor Arati to return with relevant documents during the December 4, 2024 invite.

Among other issues, Arati is expected to shed light on the county’s developmental efforts and spending.

The committee would require written submissions on the County Bursary Act.

This grilling will clarify the legal framework under which bursaries are being allocated by his allocation.

Arati will also provide a Comprehensive List of Bursary Beneficiaries.

The Governor, already fingered as truant for missing more than five Senate summons, would further provide present details of all beneficiaries in the Financial Year 2022/2023, specifying their respective wards.

On The Kisii County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2022–2027 – The CIDP, Arati is expected to outline the county’s strategic priorities and the roadmap for achieving them over the five-year period.

Still before the Devolution Committee,Arati would be explaining about the County lease Agreements for Avocado and Banana Processing Factories.

On the November 21, 2024 summon, he was ordered to return with the copies of the agreements signed between his administration and private investors in these ventures.

The two processing establishments were done by former Governor James Ongwae to boost the region’s agricultural value addition and economic growth.

The Committee’s resolutions reflect growing scrutiny of county governments to ensure funds are allocated and utilized effectively for developmental purposes.

Governor Arati constantly continues to face criticism over ed delays in implementing impactful projects, with residents expressing frustration over unmet expectations.

On December 5, Senate County Public Accounts Committee wants him to explain audit queries on financial reports 2021 /2022 and 2022 /2023.

It has already issued a warning written to him over his truancy saying it may be forced to use the police to ferry him to the sittings should he he fails to turn up.

The Senate has constantly fingered Arati for ‘slighting numerous various committee summons’ citing ‘busy engagements’ or international travel commitments’ as alibi.

The post Inside Arati’s Two Day Long Grilling by Senate Committees appeared first on KahawaTungu.

Arati has been in the cross hairs of the House for months for constantly skipping various committee invites.

On Tuesday, the Senate through a letter addressed to him gave him a final warning that shall he fail to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee to explain audit queries on financial reports 2021 /2022 and 2022 /2923 he will be arrested.

The Senate mulls especially using the police to ferry Arati to the sittings should he he fails to turn up for the December 5th, 2024 invite.

The Senate has constantly fingered Mr Arati for ‘slighting numerous various committee summons’ citing ‘busy engagements’ or international travel commitments’ as albi.

On December 5, 2024, the Public Accounts wants him to, among other things, explain audit expenditure queries in the the 2021/2022 budget and 2022/23.

The invite Tuesday came with a rider though that should he fail he would arrested, slapped with a fine or serve a jail sentence or both.

“Take this note that should you fail to attend before the committee on the date and time spelt on this summon or produce the documentation required by the committee, the committee may impose on you a fine not exceeding Sh 500,000 or may order for your arrest pursuant to section 19 (1) and c (roman 1)respectively, of the parliamentary powers and privileges for which you shall be liable for conviction or a fine not exceeding Sh 200,000 or a jail term not exceeding 6 months, or both a fine and imprisonment,” said the letter signed by JM Nyengenye, Clerk at the Senate.

The Senate has revoked the November 13 summon after the embattled County boss absconded without giving reason.

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee is mandated to among other things, examine reports of the Auditor on the annual accounts of the County Governments.

Arati was at first invited by the same committee on Thursday June 27, 2024 but declined the invitation and requested that it be rescheduled.

On June 18, the date he had agreed to attend, he failed again to turn up.

He similarly failed to turn up for a rescheduled appearance on 18th,June 2024 insensing the committee officials.

He later excused himself from a summon on September 2, 2024 and requested that he turns up on 10th, the same month.

He too absconded.

The Senate cited more other six similar invitations to which Governor Arati failed to honour.

Last week, Arati during an appearance before the Senate’s Devolution committee cited the frosty relationship with Senator Richard Onyonka among reasons for low absorption of development funds in his County.

On December 5, Arati is expected to turn up with written responses regarding the audit of the fiscal years 2021/22 and 2022/23.

He is expected to provide written responses in regards to the receiver of revenue statements for financial years 2021/22 and 2022/23 and the County Revenue Fund for the fiscal years.

The post Senate Now Invokes Arrest on ‘Evasive’ Arati Over Absconding Committee Summons  appeared first on KahawaTungu.

Musyoka termed as unhealthy the existing animosity between the two leaders.

Toto was elected on the Wiper Party ticket while Arati is in ODM. Both parties are in Azimio La Umoja Coalition.

“Doris I have told you to begin working with Governor Simba Arati. I want to see you support him as from today. We are in the same coalition and there is no need for unnecessary squabbles going forward,” Musyoka said.

He said already he has chaired a meeting with the two leaders in a lasting effort to end the tiff between them.

Musyoka spoke shortly after some youths temporary blocked Toto from entering the tent where leaders were eulogizing the late Bomachoge Chache MP Simon Ogari.

“I have read the mood of these youths that they want you team up and work with your Governor, kindly begin to do so,” stated Musyoka.

The former Vice President was among leaders who had turned up at the burial.

Ogari passed on at his Karen home on 10th September aged 68.

He was a quantity surveyor before leaping into politics in 2009 and got elected in an ODM ticket, hounding out the then MP Joel Onyancha in a by- election.

Later he was re-elected as MP the newly created Bomachoge Chache constituency.

At some point, he served as Assistant Minister for Trade for Information and Communications between 2012 and 2013.

In his retirement from active politics, he retreated to active consultancy as a Quantity Surveyor in Nairobi.

The post Kalonzo Orders Donya Toto to End Beef with Arati appeared first on KahawaTungu.

“Raisi sisi tunakwambia kwamba sisi kama ODM tuko tayari kutembea na wewe if people like Riggy G wataendelea kukusumbua,” the Deputy ODM party chief told Ruto during the groundbreaking ceremony of a Cancer Centre in Kisii early Tuesday.

Arati said nothing will prevent the party from working with Ruto from now henceforth.

Ruto is in his second day of tour to the Kisii and Nyamira Counties commissioning various state funded projects.

Already in his first day Monday, he toured Nyamira and undertook some ground breaking of several projects among them schools.

In Kisii, Ruto is commissioning the construction of affordable housing scheme in Ekerubo in Ichuni, Nyaribari Masaba and one at Nyanchwa in Kitutu Chache South.

He will also commission the construction of a market in Etago South Mugirango.

He is accompanied by MPs Charles Onchoke (Bonchari), Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Alfa Miruka (Bomachoge Chache) and Daniel Manduku (Nyaribari Masaba).

During the cancer center ground breaking, politics and banter was exchanged between Governor Simba Arati and Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua acknowledged that there was an initially frosty relationship between him and Arati but they have since agreed to work together.

“Huyu Arati tulikuwa na uhusiano mgumu tukiwa Nairobi lakini sasa yeye ni gavana na mimi naibu wa Raisi na tunaheshimiana sasa,”Gachagua said.

But when Arati stood to speak he said as ODM they will not countenance seeing the president suffer in the hands of people like Gachagua and were ready to chirp in.

By Magati Obebo

The post Arati Says ODM Ready to Assist Ruto if Gachagua Continues to Trouble Him appeared first on KahawaTungu.

Cancer is the 3rd leading cause of deaths and second among non- communicable diseases accounting for 7% of overall mortality rate in the country.

The annual incidences are estimated to be 37,000 new cases.

With the disease burden surging, it is estimated the country loses more than 28,000 patients per year.

On Tuesday, Arati said it had become like a ritual to them either attending funerals or burying those who have died of the disease every Thursday and Friday.

“That is how bad the situation is as we do the groundbreaking of this facility here,”, he said as President William Ruto commissioned the construction of a Sh3 billion cancer hospital near Kisii School in Nyaribari Chache Tuesday.

Kisii Assembly Nominee MCAs Lilian Gor (KNC) and Isabella Oigara (PDP) said the health of facility was godsend at a time the country was experiencing an exponential surge of the disease infections.

“This is one of the best projects the president has launched in this region. Once you invest this much at a project like it shows some level of seriousness from the president ,*, she said during a media interview.

Oigara said number of women getting infected with cancer was soaring rapidly.

“We must all join efforts in supporting this project. The onus now rests on the contractor to ensure he sticks to the time lines required,” she stated.

BY MAGATI OBEBO

The post We Bury 400 a Week to Cancer, Kisii County Governor Simba Arati Says  appeared first on KahawaTungu.

This comes after a viral audio, which has been circulated on social media purporting to be of a high-ranking officer in Kisii County issuing plans to have the governor arrested.

The officer in the audio who is the Kisii County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Catherine Njue has been asked to proceed on leave.

This is aimed at easing pressure on her and help in an investigation that has been launched. But there are other forces asking her to stay put and in office.

There are now fears if anything happens to Arati or his team the police and in particular the officer will be asked to explain.

“She is under pressure and has since been summoned to Nairobi and asked to go for leave. It is embarrassing to the service,” said a senior officer aware of the developments.

The lawyers representing Arati recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters over the audio.

Speaking at the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road on Monday, Siaya Governor James Orengo said they submitted a formal statement of complaints.

They left a letter addressed to the police detailing their complaints. According to the letter to DCI, the governor stated that CCIO based in Kisii is heard inter alia plotting with other officers to plant weapons at his home in Kisii, and in various residents.

Orengo said that based on the leaked audio on social media, which is alleged to have been the voice of Kisii CCIO, the life of the governor is in danger, and the detectives should step in without delay.

“Simba Arati has been operating in Kisii under difficult circumstances, and we believe that there is constant harassment, intimidation and persecution meted against Governor Arati,” Orengo said.

He stated the leaked clip is part of the evidence that they have submitted to the police for investigation. According to Orengo, the motive is to ensure that the governor is not given humble time to deliver his promises to the people.

“This is to make sure that Governor Arati is not given the space to undertake his roles and duties. We are not sure that the police are going to undertake the assurance that they have given us but they have told us that they are going to take action.”

Orengo said t the detectives had assured them of Arati’s security. The officer was captured on tape saying they are using all the state resources to frustrate the governor, who was elected on ODM ticket in the last election.

“If it cannot come to an end through official action, I’m sure the people of Kisii, the people in Kenya as a whole are not going to take it lightly without breaking some interventions, and we know what those interventions could.”

Senior Counsel and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo said that they are expecting the police to take action immediately since the governor is not safe to operate in Kisii.

“This is a unique complaint. Governor Arati has launched a complaint with DCI against the DCI. So, we want to see action being taken,” he said.

Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, said that the threats have affected the functions of the governor adding they will wait to see what the police will do.

“These threats have caused our client Governor Arati, and have affected his ability to function as a governor because he can no longer stay in a place that is hostile, and the hospitality is being perpetuated by the persons who are supposed to be protecting him,” Ndegwa said.

There are claims the officer and others in the county are being used by two politicians to frustrate Arati.

The post DCI Boss Behind Arati Threat Audio Sent on Leave as Governor Claims Life in Danger appeared first on KahawaTungu.

Mr Kases told the Nation that the officers were patrolling the area and were only “resting” at the stadium.

According to the police boss, the officers were within their right to be in the public space.

Mr Kases added that he was not privy to a warning issued by South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro to deploy officers to the area over hooliganism.

But Arati while addressing reporters said the officers instructed him not enter his office.

“I was instructed not to enter my office, as GSU officers were strategically stationed at every stadium entry point. I have done no wrong, and if this was indeed part of an ongoing investigation, I would have expected the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to be leading the charge,” he stated.

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

The governor said the presence of the officers was due to his support for a bodaboda sacco and his commitment to fighting graft.

“During his election campaign, President William Ruto promised to address the concerns of bodaboda riders. The establishment of the sacco under my supervision was a fulfillment of that promise. What better contribution could I have made?” Arati wondered.

The county chief further condemned the closure of the Kisii municipality Bodaboda offices, which was said to be a hotbed of criminal activities.

“I demand to know who dispatched GSU officers from Kisumu to this location. Whom do they intend to apprehend?” he demanded.

On Sunday, governor Simba Arati claimed that security officers wanted to raid his Motonto home and other premises at night, but that he asked them to do it during the day.

The post Kisii Police Boss Denies Raid on Arati’s Office, Says Officers were Resting at Stadium appeared first on KahawaTungu.