Kisii Governor Simba Arati on Friday, March 24, distanced himself from the opposition calls for protests across the country to push for electoral and economic reforms.
Arati said Kisii residents will not go to the streets for protests as there is enough food in the region.
“Kisii tuko na chakula, tuko na miwa. Njaa haiko sana Kisii kwa hivyo sufuria hatutabeba kichwani. Sufuria tumeacha watu wako na njaa kule Nairobi wabebe,” Arati said.
Loosely translated, “Kisii we have enough food we will let people in Nairobi walk with sufurias on their heads.”
Arati was speaking during the thanksgiving celebration for Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu graced by President William Ruto in Nyaribari Masaba, Kisii county.
At the same time, the former Dagoretti North MP urged Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition to ensure the opposition’s weekly protests remain peaceful to avoid loss of lives and property.
“Lakini tunaomba kwamba maandamano yafanywe kwa amani nchi nyingi zinafanya maandamano lakini si ya kuaribu mali ya wananchi. Maandamano lazimia ifanyika kwa kadiri na sheria za nchi. Mali na maisha ya mwanchi yasiharibiwe.”
Loosely translated, “But we are asking that the demonstrations should be conducted in a peaceful manner as many other countries across the world are experiencing protests. Let no one use demonstrations to destroy lives and property.”
Pledging to work with President Ruto, Arati promised to reach out to opposition leader Raila Odinga to have discussions with the Head of State to stop the protests.
“Your excellency (Ruto) sisi tuko pamoja tutashirikiana nitaongea na baba. Tukae chini ndiposa tujenge taifa (Your excellency we will support you. I will talk with Raila so that we can sit down and build the nation.”
While acknowledging Ruto’s victory, Arati said the elections are over and urged the local leadership to support President Ruto’s development agenda.
The former Dagoretti Member of Parliament heaped praise on the Head of State, saying he has the best interest of the people at heart.
“Ruto wewe uko ofisini kwa miaka mitano ukitushinda tena 2027 utakuwa ofisini kwa miaka kumi. Huyu raisi ukimwona kule nje utadhani ni mtu mbaya. Ako na roho nzuri. Kwa sababu ya ule umasikini umekulia na mahali umefika. Mungu abariki wewe,” he added.
He thanked the President for appointing several leaders from the Kisii region to government in recent months and vowed to support various government projects in the region.
In his requests to the President, Arati urged the Kenya Kwanza government to prioritise its pledge to build an airport in Kisii as well as fast-track road projects in the region that has for many years been considered Raila’s stronghold.
