Governor Arati says ready to work with Kenya Kwanza gov't for the sake of development

Kisii governor Simba Arati has said he is determined to work with President William Ruto’s administration to bring development to the county, despite being allied to the opposition Azimio coalition.

Speaking on Sunday during an interdenominational prayer service attended by Ruto at Nyanturago Stadium, Arati urged tolerance among leaders across the political divide, saying Kenya relies upon their harmony to grow.

“Mimi kama gavana wa Kisii, niko tayari kufanya kazi na serikali kuu kwa sababu Katiba inasema serikali kuu na serikali za ugatuzi lazima zifanye kazi pamoja. Lazima mimi kma gavana nifanye kazi niletee watu wangu maendeleo,” he said.

“Siasa lazima iwe na adabu kidogo. Mimi kama mwana ODM na yule wa UDA lazima tusimamie mambo yale, sio fitina or quarrelling, it’s about complimenting each other in managing this country.”

Arati called for dialogue between the president and opposition leader Raila Odinga towards solving the stalemate that has seen the latter call for anti-governments in which over 20 people have been killed.

The governor however dismissed claims from some Kenya Kwanza leaders that Odinga seeks a coalition government agreement with Ruto.

“Nakuomba, kando na kwamba kuna Baba anaongoza maandano na sisi tunafuata yeye, wewe kama kiomgozi ita mzee, kaa na yeye. Sisi hatutaki nusu mkate, tunataka uwe na mkate kubwa wewe ukate kila pande ya Kenya,” Arati told the Head of State.

The Kisii County leader at the same time presented President Ruto with a raft of projects his people would like from the national government, among them a state-of-art renovation of the Nyanturago Stadium and market stalls in Kisii town.

The governor also lobbied for an airstrip, saying there was readily available land for such at Nyangusu.