Simba Arati Scampers For Safety As Armed Men Disrupt His South Mugirango Meeting With Gunshots

• Kisii governor Simba Arati was lucky to escape an attack scene in the South Mugirango Constituency unharmed
• Arati had convened a meeting in the Nyakembeni area to issue bursaries to the locals when the rounds started flying from an unknown direction
• Speaking after the incident, Arati, who claimed he missed a bullet narrowly, linked the area MP Silvanus Osoro with the attack

Eli Odaga, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kisii - It is now accusations and counter-accusations after raging rounds disrupted a meeting called by Governor Simba Arati on Monday, January 8.

Arati was meeting a section of locals in Nyakembeni, South Mugirango Constituency, for bursaries issuance when the chaos erupted.

The gunshots started when the governor took over the podium to address the meeting attendees.

The tempo of the shots increased as the locals fled the venue for their safety.

One person was injured in the ear.

How Arati missed a bullet in South Mugirango

Arati was whisked to his motorcade as the law enforcers present strived to contain the situation.

Speaking after the incident, the county boss implied that he narrowly escaped a round that had been directed at him.

He linked area MP Silvanus Osoro with the incident.

"At that juncture, there were gunshots all over. I am told a number of shots that hit a guy on his left ear were aimed at me," said a disturbed Arati.

Osoro, on his part, distanced himself from the happening while accusing Arati of staging such to win sympathy.

The lawmaker went on to call for political tolerance while ropping into the mix the 2027 politics.

"It is an unfortunate scene. We need to be politically tolerant and understanding that campaigns are very far," he said.

Even as Osoro strived to absolve himself, other leaders from the region came out to condemn him over his supposed links with the attack that left several people injured.

"This is irresponsible, this level of intolerance doesn't demonstrate that you are mighty, it shows that you are weak. Why use live bullets to disrupt Governor Simba Arati's bursary issuance forum," said Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi.

"Osoro you have failed the political test. Arati is the governor of Kisii county and he is doing his job. Sending goons to disrupt the meeting is backward," said nominated senator Gloria Orwoba.

Police have embarked on a probe into the incident.

Scramble for Kisii governorship

Osoro is believed to be gunning for the Kisii governorship in the 2027 elections when Arati will be seeking re-election.

For a time, the lawmaker's relations with Arati have been shaky, the duo physically taking on each other in some instances.

In June last year, a funeral in Kisii was cut short after several people sustained injuries following a clash between the animus duo's supporters in South Mugirango.

Trouble began after Kisii County Speaker Philip Nyanumba invited Arati to address mourners, sparking outrage from supporters of Osoro.

This prompted tens of youths to accompany Osoro toward Arati for a showdown to express their displeasure, forcing security officers to swing into action to avert a possible exchange of blows and kicks between the rivalling sides.

Hell broke loose after rowdy youth penetrated through the crowd, threatening to attack the mourners as they scampered for safety, forcing the funeral to end prematurely.

The two leaders' security handlers later on whisked them away to avoid further confrontations.