Kisii Governor Simba Arati has pressed voters to elect a new senator, woman representative and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in the 2027 General Election.
He said the County needs development-minded leaders to move forward.
"We must have a new Senator, a new Woman Rep and new MCAs," Arati said
on Friday during a meeting with various groups, including members of the Green Army, at the Agricultural Training Centre in Kisii town.
The remarks by the Governor come in the backdrop of ongoing political realignments ahead of the August 2027 polls.
Mr Arati is also Deputy ODM party leader.
“ You should consider electing new leaders, including Ward Reps who are ready to serve their people, only by doing so can Kisii move forward,” Arati said.
His remarks come amid growing political differences with Senator Richard Onyonka, who has expressed ambitions to challenge him for the governorship in 2027.
The two leaders campaigned together ahead of the 2022 elections but later fell out over political differences, including disagreements surrounding an alleged pre-election agreement on county government appointments.
Onyonka has framed his gubernatorial ambitions as a matter of principle rather than personal animosity.
He has also called for opposition aspirants to consider uniting behind one candidate to challenge the incumbent.
Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, whom Arati defeated in the 2022 gubernatorial contest, is also among politicians linked to another bid for the county’s top seat.
Former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara has likewise featured in discussions about possible opposition alliances.
The unfolding contest raises questions about whether Arati’s rivals can agree on a common candidate or whether competing ambitions will fragment the challenge to his re-election bid.
Arati further praised members of the Green Army for their role in improving sanitation and keeping Kisii town clean.
Arati said the team’s efforts were helping address waste management challenges and create a healthier environment for residents, traders and visitors.
“The Green Army is playing an important role in keeping our town clean. We appreciate their dedication and the work they are doing to improve sanitation,” he said.
He further commended the workers for their commitment, saying cleanliness was essential to protecting public health and restoring the dignity of urban spaces.
“A clean town is a healthy town. We want Kisii to be an environment where people can conduct their businesses comfortably without worrying about heaps of garbage along the streets,” he said.
The Green Army has been involved in cleanliness efforts as the county intensifies its push to improve waste management.
The initiative seeks to address the accumulation of garbage in public spaces, an issue that has drawn concern from residents and business owners.
“We cannot allow our streets and markets to be overwhelmed by waste. We must work together to ensure that Kisii remains clean and presentable,” Arati said.
He urged the team to sustain its efforts and ensure that cleanliness was maintained through regular waste collection and responsible disposal.
“This should not be a one-day exercise. We need consistency, discipline and commitment so that the progress we are making today can be sustained,” he said.
Arati also called on residents and traders to support the county’s sanitation programme by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding littering. He said the responsibility of keeping Kisii clean could not be left to county workers alone.
“Every resident has a role to play. Let us stop dumping garbage carelessly and take responsibility for the environment we share,” he said.
The recognition comes amid continuing public concern over garbage collection and sanitation in Kisii town.
The county government faces the challenge of ensuring consistent waste collection, adequate disposal facilities and effective supervision to sustain the Green Army’s work. Arati said the county would continue supporting efforts to improve cleanliness, adding:
“Our goal is to build a cleaner Kisii for everyone. We need the support of the public to make this a lasting achievement.”
Ends
