SIMBA ARATI REFUSES SWEARING IN MONEY

Kisii governor-elect Simba Arati has diverted money meant for his swearing-in ceremony to other county government projects.

Speaking in Kisii on Wednesday, August 24, Arati stated that he does not intend to spend over Sh50 million a day when the county is grappling with shortage of drugs in hospitals.

“How can I spend the 57 million in a day just for a celebration while we have no drugs in hospitals, no water at our homes, and stalled health care facilities,” Arati noted.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) governor-elect said he will fund his inauguration event.

The assumption of office had budgeted sh 57 million to be spent for the inauguration of the governor-elect.

Some of the money was to buy two cars worth Ksh 33 million for the governor and his deputy, furnish their offices, Ksh 6 million to renovate their houses, Ksh 7 milion for office renovation and Ksh 10 million for the function.

“I had to cut off this budget because I already have a car, I can’t put this car aside because I need a brand new one, my deputy governor will be using the previous car the outgoing governor was using,” Arati stated

Arati maintained that the money will be channeled to important projects that he had promised to deliver to the people of Kisii County during the campaign period.

He further revealed that a donor has already volunteered to complete his office and that he does not need to spend more money.

The outgoing Dagoretti North lawmaker stated that he doesn’t need a rented house which the his predecessor at the county was using. Instead, he will wait for the construction of the governor’s office to be completed.

“I don’t need a rented house which the outgoing governor has been using, I will wait for the ongoing residential house for the governor to be completed,” Arati explained.

The vocal politician assured locals that he will embark on delivering his promises to the people of Kisii County once he he takes oath of office.

All 45 governors will be sworn into office on Thursday, August 24, except for Mombasa and Kakamega counties which are yet to elect their governors.

Elections for gubernatorial candidates in Mombasa will be held on Monday, August 29 as announced by the IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati.

The elections in the two counties were postponed following errors on the ballot papers in the run up to the August 9 elections.