The escalating rivalry between Governor Simba Arati and South Mugirango Member of Parliament Silvanus Osoro has led to ugly violence in Kisii county.
Their political battle has led to scores of people getting injuries and disruption of a number of events in the county.
The two leaders have been in a political rivalry and a battle of egos since 2021 when they confronted each other during the burial of the then Deputy Governor Joash Maangi’s father in Bomachoge.
Governor Arati was then a second term Dagoretti North MP elected on the Orange Democratic (ODM) party while Osoro was South Mugirango MP elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and was leading the UDA team in Kisii county that was campaigning for then DP and current President, William Ruto.
Last week, the two clashed again after MP Osoro and his team tried to stop the Governor from addressing mourners in Riasobera Primary school during the burial of Mzee Dishon Ayiema, Boikanga MCA Paul Okombo’s father. Mr. Osoro arrived at the event with a group of youths that drew their bows and arrows aiming them to Governor Arati as he spoke to the mourners.
The confrontation left mourners scattered as they were pelted with stones. Hon Osoro, who doubles up as the National Assembly Majority Whip, was upset in that the mourners were against the proposed Finance Bill, 2023. The MP later took to his Facebook account to apologize to the bereaved family for disrupting the event.
When Governor Arati got into power, protests broke out in Kisii town where he was called upon to vacate his sit as the county boss. Goons started attacking motorcycle riders who had reflectors donated by Mr. Arati. Violence broke that disrupted business in the town and one person was brutally murdered. The goons, were then purported to be supporters of Osoro.
The above ugly confrontations between Arati and Osoro have brought to the fore the kind of immaturity politicians are turning out to be in Gusii land. Several quarters are now appealing to the two leaders to bury the hatchet and focus on ensuring development for the Kisii county residents owing to their positions and standing in society.
It is high time for the leaders to come together and solve their issues. They are in the same county and need to serve people as they had promised.
Despite their political differences, they should find a way of making peace and serve as role models to not only young people aspiring to be leaders but to the Gusii community at large.
They are human and can mend the situation.
By Matildah Obaigwa
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