Editor's Review

The event had been scheduled at the Gusii Stadium; ODM did not disclose the exact reasons for calling off the governor's function.

The homecoming fete of Kisii governor Simba Arati since his elevation to the ODM party's leadership has been called off.

ODM's director of communication, Philip Etale, issued a statement notifying the members of the development.

Arati had been scheduled to hold the thanksgiving event at the Gusii Stadium on Thursday, November 28.

The party cited "unforeseen circumstances" as the move to call off the ceremony.

Governor Simba Arati speaking at a past ODM function.

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It however indicated that a new date would be communicated.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the Thanksgiving Ceremony for HE Hon. Simba Arati, the Deputy Party Leader, has been postponed to a later date. A new date will be announced in due course. We apologize for the inconvenience caused," read the party's statement.

Arati is among Raila Odinga's stalwarts who were tasked to lead the ODM party after the veteran opposition leader announced a break from local politics to focus on his bid to become the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairman.

The Kisii governor was made the deputy party leader alongside Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi.

The trio replaced former governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) who were called up to President William Ruto's Cabinet.

Others are Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o, who was picked to be ODM party leader, and Homa Bay's Governor Gladys Wanga who was charged with being the party's national chairperson.