Ruto, Raila host Simba Arati and Gusii leaders at State House
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 11, 2025President William Ruto hosted a delegation of Gusii political leaders at State House, Nairobi.
The meeting, which brought together leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties, was also attended by ODM party leader Raila Odinga, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, and Solicitor General Shadrack Mose.
In a statement shared on his X account on Thursday, September 11, 2025, President Ruto said the government was rolling out large-scale development projects in the two counties.
“In Kisii, we are rolling out transformative investments: 15,000 affordable housing units worth Ksh30 billion, Ksh2.5 billion in modern tertiary student hostels, and four state-of-the-art markets valued at Ksh2.4 billion,” he wrote.
“In Nyamira, we are driving equally bold change through life-changing projects worth over Ksh16 billion: 7,000 housing units, student hostels, and three modern markets that will anchor trade and economic growth.”
“Over 32,000 homesteads across Kisii and Nyamira will also be connected to reliable electricity, unlocking commerce, enabling industries, and giving our people the tools to thrive.”
Gusii support
This is not the first time the Gusii leaders have visited the State House. Last month, Ruto held a similar meeting with political and professional representatives from the region. The agenda then, as now, focused on development priorities for the community.
The frequent engagements come at a politically sensitive moment. The Gusii region has often been perceived as a stronghold of former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, who has signalled his interest in the presidency ahead of 2027. President Ruto’s outreach is widely seen as part of his broader strategy to strengthen support in the area and counter emerging rivals.
Governor Simba Arati, a Deputy Party Leader, has also been central to these discussions. Odinga has already declared that he will support Ruto in 2027, making the Gusii bloc an important target for consolidation.
The meetings also show a wider trend under Ruto’s administration. State House, once a restricted space, has become a frequent venue for delegations from across the country, including groups from Mt Kenya, coastal counties, and grassroots associations. The President has defended the open-door approach as part of his “bottom-up” governance model, even as critics raise concerns about costs and political optics.