No love lost between Arati and me, but we focus on service delivery- Sylvanus Osoro

Kisii Governor Simba Arati and National Assembly Majority Chief Whip Sylvanus Osoro have had unending political differences for the last three years.

The two support different principals at the National Level. Osoro has been a diehard supporter of President William Ruto since he decamped from the ODM party ahead of the 2017 general elections.

Conversely, Governor Arati has maintained his unwavering support for opposition leader Raila Odinga since his time as a civic leader in Nairobi over a decade ago.

In February 2021, the two, while serving as MPs, fought in a funeral in Kisii, forcing an Elite Police Squad attached to the-then Deputy President William Ruto to take charge of a funeral service that had also been attended by opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The scuffle continued for almost 20 minutes as the leaders fought, disregarding the mourning family. Osoro and Arati were forced to leave the funeral midway and headed to an unknown destination.

While addressing Bonchari mourners, Arati said a month later, "As a leader, it was important for me to make peace. I know we made a mistake, and we have reconciled."

In March, while President Ruto visited the Kisii region, Governor Arati and Osoro seemed to dispel rumours about their political differences.

"Governor Arati and I do not read from the same script politically, which is interesting about politics. It is fun that way. Politics has no formula."

Osoro advises the youth, constantly spewing hate and abuse on social media, to always focus on personal benefit if they deem it part of the political discourse.

According to Osoro, political leaders meet and communicate every day. "Public utterances will never stop any leader from delivering. Our governor takes politics too personally while we are enjoying it."