- Arati asked residents to rally behind the President by giving him time to fulfil his promises now that ODM is part of government.
- The governor said that democracy should be strengthened through a broad-based government.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati has called on residents of the larger Gusii region to back President William Ruto following the formation of the broad-based government. https://shorturl.at/LdEFL
Image: FILE
Kisii Governor Simba Arati has called on residents of larger Gusii region to back President William Ruto following the formation of the broad-based government.
Kisii region has predominantly been a perceived Opposition backyard where ODM party leader Raila Odinga enjoys a huge following.
Arati asked residents to rally behind the President by giving him time to fulfil his promises now that ODM is part of government.
This comes after the young generation in the country led a two-month wave of protests to demand accountability from Ruto's Kenya Kwanza adminstration.
The Gen Z-led protests led to the loss of lives, businesses were at a standstill and many were left nursing serious injuries.
The President dissolved his entire Cabinet sending home all except Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi before entering into a pact with ODM to form the broad-based government.
Following the new development, Arati, who said he's now the de facto spokesperson for the Gusii community, said Ruto should be allowed to deliver his pre-election promises.
"Some of us leaders have failed in our work, I want to ask youths to give the President time to finish his term so that we can see what he has in store for us. I'm together with you because I'm a leader of the Gusii," he said.
Arati said that the Gusii community should solidly back the President to enable him deliver his promises.
The governor said that democracy should be strengthened through a broad-based government.
Ruto appointed ODM's former deputy party leaders, Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, and national chairman John Mbadi and National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi to his Cabinet.
Joho was appointed the CS for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs; Mbadi was appointed to the National Treasury; Oparanya Cooperatives and MSME Development CS while Wandayi was appointed the Energy and Petroleum CS.
The four were some of the fiercest Ruto critics before their appointment.
Arati, also a former fierce Ruto criric, was appointed alongside Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi as ODM deputy party leaders.
The changes were made on Friday following a Central Management Committee meeting chaired by party leader Raila Odinga.
“These vacancies have attracted immense interest from across our membership. We wish to thank all those who offered themselves to serve acknowledging that many of them have already been of great service to the party,” ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said in a statement.
“Whilst not all of us can lead at the same time, we wish to encourage those who may not get the nod that there will always be space for all of you to contribute.”