I am still in race for top seat, says Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati

Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati presents bursaries to parents for their children’s education. [Photo: Collins Kweyu/Standard]

By Maureen Abwao

Nairobi, Kenya: Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati Sunday dismissed reports that he had dropped his candidature for top ODM seat in party election.

He said he was ready to battle it out with Raila Odinga, the current party leader, and will accept the outcome.

The MP was speaking at Lavington Primary School in Nairobi when he disbursed Sh7.6 million bursaries to needy students in the area.

“I will be on the ballot paper on February 28 and whoever wins the election, the other party should be ready to concede defeat and congratulate him” said Arati.

He further refuted allegations that there was a section of ODM members from Ukambani who intend to disrupt the upcoming party elections.

“The Orange Democratic Movement is strong as a party and will not be destabilised by outsiders who have no goodwill for the party but only intend to damage the image of the party,” Arati said.

He called on leaders to ensure that the bursary allocations are made in a fair manner.

Through his newly launched Simba Care Foundation, he revealed that funds had been set aside to assist students who had dropped out of school due to lack of school fees.

“Even if not elected in the next term as MP, I would like to see the Simba Care Fund be an ongoing project to help those students who stop schooling due to financial constraints continue with education,” said Arati.