Kisii governor Simba Arati has dismissed claims he was considering quitting Raila Odinga's fold to join Fred Matiang'i's.
This was after the governor, who is also ODM's deputy party leader, prominently featured in Matiang'i's kingly homecoming in the Gusii region.
Arati dismissed the claims, suggesting he was not anticipating an exit from the ODM party leader's camp.
Meanwhile, while welcoming Matiang'i, Arati hailed him for his ability to pull crowds during his maiden meet-the-people tour.
The governor counselled the former CS to seek partnership with other leaders from across the country.
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"Honourable Matiangi came home to see the people from home. Matiang'i, these ones, none has been paid even a cent to come here. We would like to tell you, my brother Fred Matiang'i, leave this place, visit Nyanza, go to Rift Valley, visit the Coast, travel to the Northeastern, go to Nairobi, and all the other places in our country and make sure you meet all the other leaders so that we can have a place in the national leadership," Arati said.
Matiang'i was the talk of the town on Friday, May 2, following his rousing welcome in the Kisii and Nyamira counties.
Residents turned out in large numbers, lining up on the streets to listen to the former Interior CS, whose return has sparked widespread interest.
Matiang’i’s motorcade made its way through the busy towns, drawing crowds as people eagerly gathered to hear from him.
Addressing locals in Nyansiongo town, Nyamira County, Matiang’i said he would work with like-minded leaders ahead of the next generation election.
“I have heard everything you have said. I want to assure you that we will talk with other like-minded leaders to walk together in this course,” he said.
The climax of his day-long events was at the Gusii Stadium, where he officially outlined his political ambitions.
He seeks to vie for the presidency in the 2027 vote.
Matiang'i told his audience at the stadium that he was alive to the challenges bedevilling the country, promising to tackle them if given a chance on the presidential ballot.
He jetted back to the country on April 18, after a long stay in the United States.
Meanwhile, the Jubilee Party under former president Uhuru Kenyatta has offered to give Matiang'i the ticket to vie for the presidency.
