Kisii Governor Simba Arati on Monday, October 20 boldly appealed to President William Ruto as he publicly urged the Head of State to return to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which he helped found.
Arati, who also serves as ODM's Deputy Party leader spoke during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kisii, where he reiterated that if President Ruto were to join the party, he would automatically be considered its presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.
The governor referenced President Ruto's recent remarks about ODM's legacy and calls for unity within the party as a key indicator of the Head of State's good standing with the party.
According to Arati, Ruto's return to ODM would fulfil the vision held by the late Raila Odinga, who had been ODM party leader for two decades.
“The President yesterday said he is going to ensure that ODM remains the party it is. I want to urge him today, Mheshimiwa Ruto, you were a founding member of ODM. How I wish that you would come back to your former party,” Arati said on Monday.
“If you came back to ODM, then we would have you as our flag bearer. If you came back, we would fulfil the promise Baba had a vision for.”
During his address, Arati reaffirmed his commitment to preserving Raila's legacy, as he described the former Prime Minister as a guiding light who was integral in helping shape Kenya's political direction.
Arati also echoed what other ODM leaders said during Raila's burial – that the party would not remain in opposition, even beyond the 2027 polls, as he suggested the party would field a candidate in the poll, which is barely two years away.
ODM was born out of a 2005 constitutional referendum, when Kenyans were asked to vote on a proposed new constitution. Raila and Ruto, who were opposed to the constitution, famously rejected it, using the now-famous Orange logo to mean "no".
Arati's comments are likely to cause more ripples within ODM, particularly amid the uncertainty facing the party leadership following Raila's passing.
During the former Premier's burial, several leaders, including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, were adamant the party would remain united, but there were some subtle contradictions in the direction different leaders wanted the party to take.
Arati, known for his bold political language, reiterated on Monday that he was willing to face obstacles as he likened future political challenges to "crocodiles", which he said he was ready to overcome.