Simba Arati tells off critics questioning his academic credentials

The first-time governor says he is ready to prove them wrong by showing his classmates and his master's degree thesis.

"I can show you who I went to university with. I can show you my thesis. I can show you the lecturers who thought me. You cannot win on this one. I have enough prove, so find something else to talk about. Not my academic credentials," Arati said in Kisii on Tuesday.

Appearing to point an accusing finger at Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, Simba said it's time some of his critics focus on the education sector which is in a mess in the country.

"Education is so bad in this country. Focus on that and not my academic qualifications. I hear you are running up and down trying to pin me. You can't," Arati added.

He further said that those who have been fighting him since he took office will not get the gubernatorial seat. 

Simba bragged on how he managed to become MP in Nairobi, an area dominated by other communities. He said that come 2027 he will regain the county seat with a landslide.

"Mark my words, come 2027 I will win with over 300k votes. If you are men enough go to Nairobi and win an MP seat. You can't. I defeated you by a huge margin in 2022. I will do the same in 2027," Simba further said.

Machogu was Simba's closest rival in the Kisii county seat, but the Simba trounced him to succeed former Governor James Ongwae. 

Simba has faced stiff opposition from a section of Kisii County leaders, among them South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro, Kisii county Senator Richard Onyonka and County Woman Rep Doris Aburi.

However, Arati once again came out successful in the impeachment of his Deputy Robert Monda, who was found guilty of corruption by both the County Assembly and the Senate.

Monda was backed by Osoro and his team, while Simba and the MCAs wanted him out.