Kisii County Governor Simba Arati has launched a political campaign to popularize himself across the country as he gears up to vie for the country’s top seat.

The Governor said he is ready to succeed President William Ruto after he completes his tenure, stressing, he is ripe to lead the country.

Arati who is ODM Deputy Party leader said he is best suited to take over the presidency if former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is elected chairman African Union Commission (AUC).

“I laud President Ruto for campaigning for Raila so that he can win the seat. He is qualified for the job” Arati said in the Irongo area, Bobasi constituency after he graced the graduation of 1,300 graduands of the Ajiry programme sponsored by Master Card Foundation.

The Governor stated more than 12,000 youths have been trained in Information and Communication Technology ( ICT) since the programme was launched in the county two years ago and are using the skills for online jobs to boost their lives.

He noted the Gen Z protesters had woken up political leaders to address myriad challenges facing the country to improve the lives of poor Kenyans.

The protests, noted the governor led to the Azimio la Umoja coalition and Kenya Kwanza Government to form a broad-based Government to foster the country’s political stability and national cohesion.

He denied that the opposition leaders had joined the Kenya Kwanza Government, adding the leaders never signed any agreement to show that they had quit the opposition.

“ The ODM party is still in the opposition and playing its role. We agreed to form a broad-based Government to avoid plunging the country into chaos during the protests “ Arati said.

The Governor noted the ODM party allowed some of its senior-ranking members appointed to Ruto’s Government to support him run the country smoothly and effectively.

Ruto appointed John Mbadi as Cabinet Secretary (Finance), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives), Hassan Joho (Mining) Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) and Beatrice Askul Moe (East African Community).

Political party

His quest for the presidency comes even as some Gusii leaders rooted for a political party to unite leaders and seek elective posts, win and enhance the Gusii Community’s bargaining power.

Former defunct Kisii Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor, Samuel Omwando said the party will form a coalition with others before the election to win the presidency.

He cited the late Simeon Nyachae who contested for presidency in 2002 through the Ford People Party, lost, bagged all elective parliamentary seats from the Gusii region and helped the late President Mwai Kibaki, Narc, form the government.

“ We want to have many elected leaders so that we can bargain for more appointive posts,” Omwando told People Daily Newspaper.

Arati, accompanied by Deputy, Elijah Obebo, Members of Kisii County Assembly; John Sambo ( Bassi Chache) and Sonye Ondari ( Sameta Mokwerero) urged leaders to join and strengthen the party to form the next Government.

The Governor deplored the rampant theft of cows in Bassi Chache Ward and implored chiefs and community members to fight the vice.

He challenged qualified youths to join Vocational Training Training Centres (VTCs) and acquire skills to be self-reliant instead of staying idle and relying on their ageing parents and guardians. “I have given Sh200,000 to help in the fight against theft of cows and urge community members to a concerted effort to reverse the worrying trend.”