Governor Simba Arati found himself in the hot seat during a session of the Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee yesterday, where discussions centered on Kisii County’s low development expenditure for the 2022/2023 financial year.

The governor played the sympathy card during the session, alleging that Senator Richard Onyonka’s stern approach toward him was rooted in personal biases, specifically mentioning his marriage to a Chinese national. In response, Senator Onyonka dismissed the claims, stating that his concerns were purely based on governance and performance.

“I have no issue with the governor’s Chinese wife,” Senator Onyonka clarified. “My only issue is the governor’s lack of performance.”

Governor Arati further accused Senator Onyonka of defending former Kisii Governor James Ongwae due to familial ties, a claim that Onyonka firmly denied, calling it baseless.

The session, which was meant to address the low development expenditure by the Kisii County Government, highlighted concerns about the county’s financial priorities. Members of the committee sought explanations from Governor Arati about why critical development projects in the region have stalled despite the allocation of funds.

While Governor Arati attempted to defend his administration, the tension between him and Senator Onyonka dominated the proceedings, overshadowing the substantive agenda of the meeting.

The committee urged the governor to provide detailed reports on the county’s expenditures and to prioritize transparency and development to benefit Kisii County residents.

Governor Simba Arati has exhibited a pattern of deflective and confrontational behavior in committee meetings, often steering discussions away from substantive issues by making personal allegations against his critics.

Instead of addressing questions about governance and financial accountability directly, he frequently attributes criticism to personal or political vendettas, such as claiming bias due to his Chinese wife or accusing senators of ulterior motives.

His responses to pressing questions on matters like budget allocation and stalled development projects are often vague or evasive. Arati has also been noted for playing the victim card, framing accountability demands as targeted attacks, and clashing with senators who challenge him.

This approach has frustrated committee members seeking transparency and effective governance for Kisii County.

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