Simba Arati for President?
Kisii Governor Simba Arati. Photo/Charles Magati
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party chair Simba Arati has said the party is expected to field a candidate against President William Ruto in 2027.
The Kisii Governor said they are optimistic they would floor the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate in the polls.
"Yes, as we do the membership registration the focus still remains the same, going for the top job and am sure we shall defeat them," the Kisii Governor spoke at a burial in Kisii.
"We have to try them... We must and we shall emerge winners this time," Mr Arati told mourners in Bonchari.
The party plans to undertake massive registration from November 27, 2024, across the country as part of the advance efforts in clinching the 2027 presidency.
“I urge all of you to register that day... We shall win,” he said.
He separately hinted at attempting the presidency at some point soon.
“Kiti tutafuta tu... Msijali,” he said, loosely translated as ”We shall go for the seat, don't lose hope with us yet."
The former Dagoreti South MP also said as a party, they are optimistic that the party leader Raila Odinga would clinch the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat.
"Baba has fought hard battles for this country and it would be the best interest of this country if he secures the seat.. Let's all be supportive of his bid," Mr Arati said.
Speaking about his performance the governor said the war against graft in his administration has begun bearing fruits.
Citing improved revenue collections at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH), Mr Arati said by pushing out cartels and non performing executives when he entered office, the facility has since grown its revenues to over Sh200 million from the mere Sh47 million.
“There are still people going round tarnishing the reputation of the hospital... These are the same people who were supplying oxygen... I swear before you that we shall never go that direction again... And I wish Senator Richard Onyonka was here to listen to this,” the governor said.
Senator Onyonka has constantly raised concern in regarding to services at the facility.
Mr Onyonka says KTRH is a death trap owing to lack of essential drugs.
