Kisii Governor Simba Arati is staring at the political fight of his life — battling for re-election as a storm brews in his backyard over his controversial alliance with William Ruto instead of rallying behind homegrown political, a move likely to send him into further political isolation and complicate his re-election bid.
By Monday, another key ally, Ichuni MCA Wycliffe Siocha, who spearheaded the impeachment motion against Deputy Governor Robert Monda ,also announced his exit from Arati camp.
He later ddescribed the deflection as giving him an ephipany and “the Damascus experience.”
“I am a happy man now, I have grovelled enough to no avail,” he said at a burial at Motonyoni, Masimba Ward.
Siocha spoke of a County leadership “eternally bent on” exploiting elected Ward Reps for its selfish ends.”
“We cannot continue pretending that all is well when genuine concerns raised by leaders are being ignored,” said Siocha.
The Ichuni Ward MCA admitted that removing Monda from office as Deputy Governor was a mistake and claimed the region had since been sidelined in county affairs by Governor Simba Arati.
“I want to sincerely apologise to the people of Nyaribari. Yes, I supported the impeachment believing it was the right thing to do, but what followed has been political isolation and neglect of our region,” said Siocha.
Other Mcas that had since walked out on Arati include Amos Mokaya, (Nyatieko),Steve Arika (Ibeno) and Bouse Mairura (Masimba)Thomas Obare (Basi Boitangare).
They separately insisted ” of making a decent to remain loyal to their people rather than individuals”.
“At the end of the day, our allegiance is to wananchi. We must stand where the interests of our people are protected,” said Mokaya
Siocha while speaking to Kahawatungu likened himself to a prodigal son returning home .
He said for the time he has served Arati he has reaped nothing but whirlwind.
“I beseech you that you forgive me, forgiveness is never denied to who that seeks it with a sincere heart,” stated Siocha.
He said more other MCA are planning a massive walk out on Arati.
“He will remain alone in the coming weeks,”he said.
The MCA further accused the county administration of marginalising Wards in the larger Nyaribari region in development.
“Our people deserve equal treatment. Roads, health facilities and other development projects should not be distributed on the basis of political loyalty,” he added.
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In Bobasi — widely regarded as Governor Arati’s political stronghold —Basi Boitangare MCA Thomas Obare’s defection has further fueled speculation of widening cracks within the governor’s backyard.
“Politics is dynamic and leaders must be ready to listen to the ground. The people will always determine the direction we take,” Obare told Kahawatungu.
He was voted in as independent.
Mairura said his love to speak candidly alienated him from Arati months after the governor was inaugurated to office.
“He is an incorrigible liar and incapability of doing anything good to people he is leading”, Mairura stated.
He said he was happy that more others had since seen the light.
Despite the growing criticism, some of Arati’s allies maintain that the governor’s cooperation with President Ruto is purely development-oriented and meant to ensure Kisii County benefits from national government projects.
Bogusero MCA Richmond Manani , a close ally further insisted that Arati’s development track record remains unmatched, saying residents could clearly see the transformation taking place across different sectors in the county.
“Politics will always have shifting alliances, but development speaks for itself. Governor Arati has opened roads, improved health facilities and initiated projects that wananchi can see on the ground,” said Manani.
He was speaking during a bursary event in his Ward.
Dr Eric Onsongo, Kisii University don and political analyst , however ,warned that Arati’s growing association with President Ruto instead of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i — who is enjoying massive support for his presidential bid — could trigger a bigger political exodus from him in the coming days.
“Many leaders are carefully observing the political mood in the region. Arati’s decision to work closely with Ruto when a large section of the Gusii community appears to be rallying behind Matiang’i could alienate some of his allies. The defections would put the rebels in a camp that may be a factor in their reelection bids,” said Onsongo.
The shifting political landscape, he added ,could see more MCAs and grassroots mobilizers abandon the governor in the coming months as succession politics intensify ahead of 2027.
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