Governor Simba Arati on Wednesday intensified his political attacks against former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, accusing him of corruption and questioning his suitability to lead Kisii County in remarks that further heightened the emerging 2027 political rivalry.
Speaking during a meeting with small-scale traders and boda boda operators at the Agricultural Training Centre in Kisii, Arati claimed questionable dealings tainted Machogu’s public service record. She argued that integrity should remain central in choosing future county leadership.
“Who doesn’t know what he has done when he was District Commissioner and later Education CS? His entire career is sullied by questionable and suspicious dealings. You cannot risk handing over the county to individuals whose records raise serious integrity concerns,” Arati said.
The governor, however, did not provide evidence to support the allegations against the former Cabinet Secretary.
The remarks add to growing political tensions between the two leaders as Machogu increasingly positions himself as a potential challenger to Arati’s influence in the Gusii region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Arati also dismissed claims linking him to hostility toward former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, insisting he had been among Matiang’i’s strongest allies during difficult political moments.
“If there is a person who has stood with Dr Matiang’i, it is me. Machogu was in the government that was fighting him when Matiang’i’s house in Nairobi was raided. He cannot come late in the day to claim affinity and take credit,” Arati said.
Despite the intensifying political rivalry, the governor expressed confidence that he would defeat Machogu in the 2027 gubernatorial contest.
“I will still defeat him,” he stated.
In a separate address, Arati defended his frequent travel outside Kisii County, rejecting criticism from opponents who accuse him of neglecting county affairs.
The governor said his national role within the Orange Democratic Movement often requires him to travel and engage with leaders across the country.
“I am a national ODM party leader, and party responsibilities sometimes require me to travel and engage with leaders in different parts of the country. That should not be mistaken for abandoning the people of Kisii,” he said.
Arati maintained that county operations and development projects were continuing uninterrupted despite his political engagements outside the county.
His defence comes amid mounting political pressure within Kisii, where some Members of the County Assembly have recently distanced themselves from his administration over governance and resource allocation concerns.
Among the vocal critics is Wycliffe Siocha, who accused the governor of hypocrisy in his anti-corruption stance.
Speaking to journalists in Keroka, Siocha alleged that Arati routinely criticises others over corruption while presiding over what he termed a compromised county administration.
“He is always on the front line accusing others of corruption, yet in reality his own administration is deeply compromised. Contracts are being given to outsiders who are not even from the county,” Siocha claimed.
The MCA also did not provide documentary evidence to support his allegations.
Arati, who previously served as MP for Dagoretti North, is expected to seek a second and final term as Kisii governor in 2027. In recent months, he has adopted a more combative political posture as he moves to consolidate his support base amid emerging challengers.
Meanwhile, Machogu has been quietly expanding his political networks across Kisii County, with allies portraying him as a possible contender capable of reshaping the region’s political landscape.
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