Kisii Governor Simba Arati on Monday, October 20, made a bold appeal to President William Ruto, publicly urging him to return to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) — a party he helped to found.
Speaking during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kisii, Arati, who also serves as ODM’s Deputy Party Leader, stated that if President Ruto were to rejoin the party, he would automatically be considered its presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.
The governor cited Ruto’s recent remarks praising ODM’s legacy and calling for unity within the party as a sign of the Head of State’s continued goodwill toward the movement.
“The President yesterday said he would ensure that ODM remains the strong party it has always been. I want to urge him today — Mheshimiwa Ruto — you were a founding member of ODM. How I wish you would come back to your former party,” Arati said.
“If you returned to ODM, we would have you as our flag bearer. That would fulfil Baba’s vision and the dream he had for this party,” he added.
Arati also reaffirmed his commitment to preserving Raila Odinga’s legacy, describing the late ODM leader and former Prime Minister as a guiding light who shaped Kenya’s political direction for decades.
