How Simba Arati Is Shaping Gusii Politics Behind the Scenes

Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo met at Arati’s home in Motonto in a show of unity.

The meeting brought together elders, professionals and residents from both Kisii and Nyamira counties. It comes at a time when the political direction of the Gusii community remains closely linked to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i, even as national political realignments continue to take shape.

Governor Nyaribo is expected to lead a delegation to State House early next year, ahead of President William Ruto’s planned visit to the Gusii region. While the stated focus is on seeking support for delayed development projects, the engagement carries clear political significance. 

Governor Arati, who has aligned himself with the government’s broad-based arrangement despite his ODM background, is understood to be facilitating the outreach as part of a pragmatic approach to national engagement. Nyamira’s leadership argues that the county has fallen behind in infrastructure and investment compared with neighbouring regions. 

Nyaribo has indicated that direct talks with the presidency are necessary to address these gaps. His position has also come under pressure following a recent impeachment attempt, which he survived after the matter reached the Senate.

According to leaders present, Arati played a role in helping defuse the impeachment process by engaging President Ruto and ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga. Nyaribo’s delegation used the Motonto meeting to thank Arati for his support during the process.

Addressing the gathering, Nyaribo said the impeachment effort was politically motivated and aimed at weakening his position ahead of the 2027 General Election. He maintained that the allegations against him were unfounded and intended to remove him from the race before voters could decide.

Both governors emphasised the need for unity within the Gusii community. Nyaribo said county boundaries should not divide the Omogusii people, while Arati argued that a coordinated approach would strengthen their ability to negotiate with the national government. They announced plans to convene a joint consultative forum at Gusii Stadium in 2026 to discuss shared political and development priorities.

Arati said his decision to work with President Ruto was driven by the need to deliver development projects. He noted that his years in the opposition had made it difficult to secure national support for local infrastructure, adding that cooperation with the government was necessary to meet public expectations.

The meeting has led to speculation that Nyaribo may be considering closer alignment with the government coalition. He dismissed the claims, saying they were misleading. He said that while ODM is part of the broad-based arrangement with Kenya Kwanza, his United Progressive Alliance remains independent and continues to support Dr Matiang’i.

Nyaribo said any engagement with the national government would be open and conducted directly with the President. He described the Motonto meeting as the start of sustained cooperation between the two county administrations rather than a shift in party allegiance.

The Gusii region remains politically significant, with more than 1.1 million registered voters across Kisii and Nyamira counties.