Gachagua accuses Governor Arati of attempting to block opposition rally in Kisii
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 24, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressed a rally in Kisii on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, as the United Opposition continued its tour of the Gusii region. He used the platform to attack Kisii Governor Simba Arati and to back former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as the community’s main leader.
Gachagua spoke in Marani, Kisii, where he accused Arati of trying to block his visit. He claimed the governor received money to hire youth to disrupt the event and attack Matiang’i and his supporters.
“Ndio mimi nilishangaa, huyu Fred Matiang’i alinialika hapa. Huyu governor yenu, mtu ya Kasongo, akasema nisifike hapa. Si huyu Arati ni mtu ya Kasongo? Sasa wewe, Arati, unasema mimi nisikuje Kisii? Unasema nisikuje Kisii ukiwa nani? ”Gachagua told the crowd.
He added:“Jana Abagusii wameamua. Kiongozi wa jamii ya Abagusii, na msemaji pekee kwa niaba ya jamii ya Abagusii, ni Fred Matiang’i. Sasa kama Fred Matiang’i amenialika Kisii, mimi naihitaji ruhusa ya Arati?”
Gachagua accuses Arati of violence
Gachagua went further to link Governor Arati to the disruptions.
“Ati, Arati aliambiwa na Kasongo, ati Riggy G asikuje Kisii, atawaambia mambo ya ukweli. Riggy G amefika hajafika? Sasa wewe arati nimefika hapa utado? Wewe Arati kwenda rudisha pesa ya Kasongo. Jana huyu Arati amepewa pesa, akatafuta vijana Keroka na Kisii, ati wapige Matiang’i na wageni wake,” he said.
“Wewe gavana, watu wa Kisii walikuchagua. Huoni haya ukilipa vijana pesa kuja kuumiza viongozi na wananchi wa Kisii.”
His remarks came a day after Gusii elders declared Matiang’i the spokesperson and political kingpin of the Abagusii community. The declaration took place on February 23, during the opposition’s entry into the region.
The tour brings together several opposition figures, including Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, George Natembeya, Peter Munya, Cleophas Malala. The leaders aim to build unity ahead of the 2027 general election and field a single candidate against President William Ruto.
The visit began amid tension. Reports from Kisii town spoke of running battles on the first day. In Keroka, a Probox vehicle was set on fire.