Kisii governor Simba Arati has urged the former Prime Minister to support the former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Arati said that if Raila publicly endorses Matiang’i, he might be the next president.
In addition, he said that he has no objections if Rigathi Gachagua, or even William Ruto, decides to support Matiang’i, stating that the Gusii community will back Matiang’i’s candidacy.
Arati added that the former CS will be in the team that will form the next government.
“Matiang’i atakuwa kwa hiyo meza ya kutengeneza serikali kuu ya nchi hii, lakini hatutaki mtu atoke kule ooh lazima kwa sababu nimesikia wamejipanga walikuwa wafanye mkutano hapa leo, ooh tufanye mkutano Kisii tualike Matiang’i, Matiang’i ndio anaalika wewe,” he said.
“Nataka kuambia Gachagua kama utashika ndungu yetu mkono hatuna shida, William Ruto kama utashika Matiang’i mkono useme tosha hatuna shida,ata mzee Raila nataka kumwambia ya kwamba akisema unajua yeye ndio ataamua hii Kenya ikuwe namna gani sasa tunaomba baba vile tunaenda juu lazima tukuwe katika serikali ijayo.”
He further urged the residents to be peaceful.
“Na nataka kuwaomba watu wa Kisii tukuwe na Amani watu wakija, tuwape masikio waonge, lakini kura yako iko kusikuwe na fujo yoyote,” he said.
Gusii on Matiang’i’s candidacy
Arati’s remarks come after a section of leaders from the Gusii region pleaded their support for Matiang’i’s presidential bid.
Led by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, the leaders Senator Nyamira Omukongo Omogeni, Nyaribari Masaba Member of Parliament (MP) Daniel Manduku, Kitutu Masaba MP Gesairo Clive, Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, and Kitutu Chache MP Japheth Nyakundi held a breakfast meeting with the former CS.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka stated that the former CS is committed to progressive leadership of the country.
“Was privileged to attend a breakfast meeting of a section of Gusii leaders hosted by Fred Matiang’i. Matiang’i is committed to participating in progressive & transformative leadership of our country!” he stated.
This comes a day after Matiang’i dismissed claims that his reported presidential ambitions are being bankrolled by powerful individuals behind the scenes.
“I don’t think that is for public discussion. The truth of the matter is that when you go into a campaign, you seek donors and people to support you for your campaign,” he said.
“I don’t think that is for public discussion. The truth of the matter is that when you go into a campaign, you seek donors and people to support you for your campaign.”
