Inside Arati’s quiet power play in Gusii politics
ODM deputy party leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati addresses party supporters in Nakuru City on November 5, 2025.
A meeting between Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Nyamira counterpart Amos Nyaribo has sparked debate over the political future of the Gusii community, which continues to back its son, Dr Fred Matiang’i, for the presidency.
The meeting comes ahead of a planned visit to State House early next year by Mr Nyaribo and other Nyamira leaders, ostensibly to lobby for development projects, the Nation has learnt. Governor Arati, who is allied to the broad-based government, is said to be facilitating the engagement.
The Sunday meeting held at Governor Arati’s rural home in Motonto drew a delegation of more than 600 people from Kisii and Nyamira counties, including elders and professionals.
Both leaders maintained that the meeting was aimed at fostering political unity within the Gusii community and jointly pursuing development for the region.
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo before the Senate on December 3, 2025 during his impeachment hearing.
Mr Nyaribo, who is the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) party leader and whose party continues to align itself with Dr Matiang’i, is expected to visit State House in early 2026 ahead of President William Ruto’s planned tour of the Gusii region, which comprises Kisii and Nyamira counties.
A source close to Mr Nyaribo and involved in organising the meeting said the Nyamira delegation was keen on addressing long-standing development concerns.
“Nyamira has lagged behind in development. This is what Governor Nyaribo intends to pursue during the State House visit. We also want to unite our people first, regardless of presidential preferences—whether it is Dr Matiang’i or President Ruto—before engaging the national government as a united community,” the source said.
Mr Nyaribo’s team also said they visited Governor Arati to thank him for intervening during an impeachment attempt against the Nyamira governor, which later collapsed in the Senate.
In the failed impeachment, the Nation has established that Governor Arati acted as an intermediary between President Ruto and the ODM party leadership led by Dr Oburu Oginga—a move that contributed to saving Mr Nyaribo from removal.
“We went to thank Governor Arati for pleading our case before President Ruto and Dr Oburu. They both felt that Nyamira has faced many challenges and that Governor Nyaribo deserved to complete his term, given the limited time remaining before the next election,” said the source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
President William Ruto, Kisii Governor Simba Arati (right) and other Leaders during a Thanksgiving Mass at Cardinal Otunga Mosocho High School Grounds, Kisii County on Saturday, December 17.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Nyaribo said he had resolved to work with Governor Arati to advance the interests of the Gusii community.
“We share the same heritage. When the Omogusii people are united, we are stronger. County boundaries are irrelevant—we are one people. If we approach President William Ruto together for development projects, he will listen,” Mr Nyaribo said.
He further claimed that the impeachment attempt was not based on substantive grounds but was intended to lock him out of the 2027 elections.
“They want to remove me so that we do not meet at the ballot in 2027. I called for dialogue with Nyamira MCAs, but they refused. I will not be intimidated,” he said, adding that in impeachment cases, governors and their deputies should be treated equally.
The two leaders said that unity was critical in negotiating for national government support to complement county development efforts.
Governor Arati said he stood with Mr Nyaribo during the impeachment process because it was unjustified.
“When Governor Nyaribo faced impeachment, I had to stand with him. After the process failed, I called on Nyamira MCAs to allow the county to move forward,” he said.
Reflecting on his own political journey, Governor Arati said his decision to work with President Ruto was driven by development needs.
“I was in Opposition for 18 years. It was difficult to even secure road projects. As long as my people want development, I will work with the President,” he said.
Kisii County Commissioner Tom Anjere (left) and Governor Simba Arati during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho on December 12, 2023.
He added that in 2026, the two governors plan to host a joint consultative forum at Gusii Stadium to chart the political and development direction of the Gusii community.
“We must provide direction to our people. Unity is our strength. A united Gusii community is unstoppable,” Governor Arati said.
With more than 1.1 million registered voters across Kisii and Nyamira counties, the Gusii community wields significant influence in the 2027 General Election, Governor Arati noted.
Following the meeting, speculation emerged that Mr Nyaribo was planning to join the broad-based government with the support of Governor Arati.
However, Mr Nyaribo dismissed the claims, terming them misleading.
“I wish to clarify misinformation surrounding the successful meeting between the Omogusii people of Nyamira County, under my leadership, and those of Kisii County, led by Governor Arati,” he said.
“The meeting brought together one Omogusii community, divided only by county boundaries. We resolved to collaborate in advancing our shared interests. As leaders, we have a duty to promote unity, just as other Kenyan communities are doing,” he added.
Governors Simba Arati (Kisii) and Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira).
Mr Nyaribo further stated that while Governor Arati is an ODM Deputy Party Leader and ODM participates in the broad-based arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza administration, UPA has not joined the coalition.
“Claims that our meeting discussed joining the national government or Nyamira aligning itself with the broad-based government are false and misleading,” he said.
He saidthat any engagement with the national government would involve direct consultation with President Ruto and would be communicated openly.
“The public should ignore these misleading narratives driven by selfish interests. This meeting marks the beginning of sustained engagement between Kisii and Nyamira leadership to prioritise the needs of the Omogusii community,” Mr Nyaribo concluded.
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