ODM: Police Want To Raid Simba Arati's Home
Arati received instructions not to enter his office as the officers swarmed nearly all corners of the stadium
Marvin Chege 
UPDATE: The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party now says that the police are planning to raid Kisii Governor Simba Arati's residence hours after GSU officers surrounded his office at Gusii Stadium.
In a statement signed by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the party lamented that Arati has not been able to discharge his constitutional duties assigned to him by the people of Kisii County owing to the heavy presence of contingents of armed GSU officers in Kisii town, despite not being any reported cases of insecurity in Kisii town and its surroundings prompting their deployment.
"This morning, while reporting to work, the Governor encountered a battalion of GSU personnel at the entrance and inside of the Gusii Stadium where the Office of the Governor is located. They were armed to the tooth as if there was war or any threat to security.
"We have information that police are planning a raid on the Governor's residence in the outskirts of Kisii town, there is no search warrant that has been issued by the courts and we find this to be the highest level of intimidation and coercion. Such raids should be carried out during the daytime. The Governor is available to provide any information they may be looking for," ODM alleged.
The Raila Odinga-led party further claimed that it is the first time Kenyans are being treated to alleged misuse of the mandate of the Red Berets at a time when Kenyans in the North Rift, Lamu and Samburu are faced with insecurity.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati has claimed that the move by a contingent of officers attached to the General Service Unit (GSU) to surround Gusii Stadium where his office is located was aimed at arresting him.
Speaking to the media on Monday, October 30, hours after the GSU officers descended on the premises, the governor expressed concerns regarding the alleged surprise raid which sent tongues wagging across the country.
According to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy National Chairperson, he received instructions not to enter his office as the officers swarmed nearly all corners of the stadium, despite him claiming that there was no wrong he had done to warrant the cordoning off of the facility.
"I was instructed not to enter my office, as GSU officers were strategically stationed at every stadium entry point.
Governor Simba Arati speaking in Kisii in February 2022. /ROBERT ALAI.FACEBOOK
"I have done no wrong, and if this was indeed part of an ongoing investigation. I would have expected the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to be leading the charge," he stated.
He blamed the potential arrest on his support for a bodaboda Sacco and his unwavering commitment to combating corruption within the county.
Arati also decried the abrupt closure of the Kisii municipality Bodaboda offices, which he believed was unfairly portrayed as a hotbed of criminal activities, further demanding to know who had brought in GSU officers to the stadium from Kisumu.
"During his election campaign, President William Ruto promised to address the concerns of bodaboda riders. The establishment of the sacco under my supervision was a fulfilment of that promise. What better contribution could I have made?" Arati questioned.
"I demand to know who dispatched GSU officers from Kisumu to this location. Whom do they intend to apprehend?"
Adding to his frustration, Arati expressed disappointment with the lack of transparent communication from senior county security officials, including County Commissioner Tom Anjere, regarding the purpose of the GSU officers' presence at his offices.
Arati also claimed that the officers were waiting for a court order before raiding his office and home, further alleging that there are some people who are plotting revenge against him over the 2022 general elections.
The incident was meanwhile condemned by ODM, saying in a statement that security apparatus should not be used by the government of the day to persecute perceived opponents.
The opposition party led by Raila Odinga claimed that the GSU's "intention was to block him (Arati) from entering his office and perhaps trigger anger from members of the public".
"This kind of harassment of leaders and the habitual misuse of police to settle political scores should be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Governor Arati, just like other Governors should be respected and be left to run the affairs of his county to prosperity," ODM said further.
The party urged the government to use the right channels like the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) if it believes Arati should be investigated.
"If there are any queries or questionable activities involving the Governor warranting investigations, we urge the Kenya Kwanza administration to use the appropriate channels of investigation that is the DCI or EACC and not deploying lorry loads of GSU personnel to cause fear among the residents of Kisii town," the statement read further.
Arati on Sunday, October 29 claimed that security officers wanted to raid his Motonto home and other premises at night.
While expressing his preference for investigations to be carried out during the day, the county boss in his speech pleaded with the national government not to deploy police officers to injure Kisii youth who rely on boda boda businesses to earn a living.
