Kisii Governor Simba Arati will lead a group of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from the Gusii region to meet President William Ruto in Nairobi on Thursday.
Both Kisii and Nyamira County Assemblies have adjourned sittings to allow members to travel ahead of the meeting.
The gathering is officially about development projects, but it comes amid political tensions ahead of upcoming by-elections in Nyamira.
Nyamira Governor Yet to Decide
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, a UPA party leader and ally of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, has been invited.
He has not yet confirmed if he will attend, stating:
“If the meeting is truly about development, then I will go. However, if it’s about politics, then I will be out.”
UDA MPs criticized Nyaribo for declining Ruto’s invitation.
Development Projects on the Agenda
Kisii MCAs emphasized that the visit will focus on regional development, including:
- Gusii Stadium
- Kisii Cancer Centre
- Suneka Airstrip
- Road projects
MCA Welfare and Pension
MCAs also plan to raise issues related to their welfare. Masige East MCA Michael Motume said:
“MCAs are not entitled to pensions. We will ask the President to fast-track a law to ensure security for retired MCAs.”
Motume also called for the creation of a Ward Development Fund to strengthen devolution.
Previous Engagements
This will be the second meeting between President Ruto and Gusii leaders in a month. In a prior meeting, he promised projects such as:
- Nyamira State University
- Expansion of the Sotik-Kisii road
President Ruto emphasized the importance of strong leadership and development in his address on August 15, 2025:
“Kenya’s transformation demands decisive and bold leadership anchored in progressive and innovative plans and policies.”
