The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has called on the government to increase security for Kisii Governor Simba Arati.

In a statement on Monday, April 15, 2024, ODM said the governor was facing life threats from persons believed to be allied to the government who are believed to be plotting his downfall.

“The continued mistreatment and harassment of our National Vice Chairman HE Simba Arati (Governor of Kisii County) by officers of the National Government and the police has come to our attention. It is regrettable that the government is quiet on this whole matter,” ODM stated.

The Orange party cited a phone conversation which has gone viral, alleged to be of a senior government official in Kisii plotting to arm-twist Arati.

“The ODM party takes note of the recent telephone conversation of a senior police officer in the DCI that was recorded and has been circulating in the media. We demand that Hon. Arati be accorded maximum security as required by law and action taken against the perpetrators of the illegal plans and threats to his life,” ODM added.

According to the phone conversation in our possession, the party in the conversation is heard claiming that they have to teach the governor a lesson.

The five-minute audio reveals some plans to tame the governor who has been at loggerheads with the national government.

Arati allies

In the latest development, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, in a miscellaneous criminal application at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kisii, is seeking orders to search the homes of 14 individuals linked to the governor who are said to be in possession of illegal weapons used to commit various criminal offences in the county.

In an affidavit, Kisii County Criminal Investigations Officer Cathrine Njue says she has information that the 14 are involved in criminal activities in Kisii County.

“I have information that the respondents are organising criminal activities which is a threat to the public safety and that of the entire Kisii County. I am carrying investigations of the respondents’ pursuit to intelligence reports” Njue says in an affidavit as quoted by a local publication.

Njue seeks a search warrant to enter, search and obtain any crucial information, documents and items from the homes or houses belonging to the 14 persons.

On Monday, Arati recorded a statement with the DCI at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi following the new developments.

“We have handed a copy of the (audio) clip to the police,” Arati’s lawyer Prof James Orengo said.

“Arati has lodged a complaint with the DCI against the DCI. We want to see the action that they take. The alternative is to take the law into our own hands. They have assured us there will be some action,” Otiende Amollo, who is also Arati’s lawyer, added.