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Arati calls for dialogue amid fallout with section of Kisii leaders

His deputy Robert Monda was conspicuously absent from the function.

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by Bosco Marita

News28 November 2023 - 18:36
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In Summary


  • The ODM Party Vice Chair said he was no angel adding that he equally makes mistakes.
  • He rooted for robust meaningful discussions to unlock the potential of the county.
Arati addressing a crowd at Nyamache Tuesday during a function (IMAGE BY MAGATI OBEBO)

Kisii Governor Simba Arati Tuesday called for dialogue with his political rivals so as to forge a united front in developing the devolved unit.

The County boss, already facing dissent from his deputy, Robert Monda, appeared to strike a reconciliatory tone at a rally Tuesday in Nyamache, Bobasi saying the County needs efforts of all to move forward.

The ODM Party Vice Chair said he was no angel adding that he equally makes mistakes.

"All that I ask of our leaders is to join me in building the County," Arati said.

He rooted for robust meaningful discussions to unlock the potential of the county.

His deputy Robert Monda was conspicuously absent from the function following a fallout.

The function was attended by ODM leaders Raila Odinga and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka among others.

The Governor is facing opposition from a section of Kisii leaders who have vowed to take him head-on.

Senator Richard Onyonka broke ranks earlier expressing dismay with the County boss over the 'slow pace of development'.

On Monday, County Deputy Governor Robert Monda confirmed a fallout with his boss over a 'slow pace of absorption of development funds'.

The fallout escalated more following a weekend meeting with Arati critics.

The governor, Monda told the Star, was often undecided on how to spend state funds to improve the livelihoods of his people.

"Not even in my backyard can I pinpoint any physical project yet," Monda told the Star by phone.

Monda had hosted Senator Richard Onyonka, Majority Chief Whip Sylvanus Osoro and Woman Rep Donya Toto over the weekend for dinner at his residence escalating the tension further between him and his boss.

The three politicians had been in the front line in bashing the governor accusing him of feeding his people rhetoric at the expense of development.

On Tuesday, Arati said while he was ready to dialogue with all leaders, he was not ready to play the graft card with anybody.

Donya Toto of the Wiper Party is among the politicians who have fallen out with Arati.

She was accused of targeting Arati's wife, May Arati, for censure for trying to 'replicate projects she was already doing'.

He, however, said that he was not ready yet to dance any tune with his rivals on account of giving out public money as bribes.

Some of his rivals, he said are trying to milk cheap sympathy by making spot of him.

Others added the County boss, only turned against him after he refused to give them bribes.

"I have seen ghosts of graft walking before me. They want me to dish out public money to them something I have vowed not to do," stated Arati.

Instead, he vowed to remain unwavering and steadfast in the fight against forces of evil.

Only Bomachoge Borabu MP Obadiah Barongo and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, of the local political leadership, and some ward reps were in attendance at the Arati fete.

The push for Arati to engage in dialogue was leveraged by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambui and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Musyoka and Wambua said the County was poised for greatness only if its leaders were united.

"Don't allow all leaders to scatter from you, bring them together so that there is a harmonious relationship that can spur development," he told the students.

He did not comment on the fallout with his deputy.

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