Simba Arati: Matiang’i is my project
By Mabonga Makhanu, May 9, 2026Kisii Governor Simba Arati has come out to state that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i was his project.
While speaking during a visit to Kisii senator Richard Onyonka at his Utawala home in Nairobi on Friday, May 8, 2026, the Orange Democratic Movement Deputy Party Leader said he was among those who laid the groundwork for Fred Matiang’i’s return to community politics.
“Onyonka ni mtu wa ODM kando na sasa ako nyuma ya ndugu yetu katika chama cha jubilee, wakishirikiana na mheshimiwa kibagendi na wengine wengi. najua wengi hamjui hiyo project mko nayo ni yangu. Endeni muulize huyo Matiang’i.”
He went ahead to state that at the time when Fred Matiang’i was being hounded by the current regime after they took over power, he was sent by elders from the Kisii community to speak to the president to allow Matiang’i, who was at loggerheads with the regime and even at risk of arrest, to be set free.
“Ukiliza mzee ongeri, mzee omenge wakati wa kwanza ambapo gachagua alikuwa aakimbiza huyu ndugu yetu. Waliniomba niende nionge na raisi kuhusu hilo jambo.”
He recalled that during a meeting between Kisii leaders and the President at State House, everyone was hesitant to raise the matter, but he went ahead and “tied the bell around the cat’s neck”. According to Arati, the president was very furious after he introduced the matter but later cooled down.
Arati, who, despite many Kisii leaders aligning with Matiang’i, has maintained his stand in ODM and the broad-based government, went ahead to say that at the right time they will sit down with the Matiang’i faction, which is deep in the United Opposition, to map the way forward for the community.
He insisted that in 2027, no matter the political affiliations and standings, the community must be in government.
He further urged Matiang’i-allied politicians, led by Onyonka to continue supporting Matiang’i and called for political tolerance. He also took a swipe at Richard Onyonka’s ambition to unseat him, saying it is a good ambition.
Kisii politics
This comes at a time when the Kisii region is embracing Fred Matiang’i, who was recently fronted by the Jubilee Party as their flag bearer and link in the United Opposition.
Matiang’i’s coronation
This saw, during a United Opposition tour held in February, elders from the Abagusii community coronate him as the community’s spokesman and elder.
After giving him instruments of power, he was handed over to the United Opposition principals to join them in traversing the country so as to bring honour to his community.
Recently leaders allied to Matiang’i, led by former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, have told the former Interior boss that those who are not with him at the moment and are currently supporting the state should not be allowed last-minute defections and that those aligned with him since his return from the United States should be given first priority.