In a surprising turn of events on Monday, a contingent of officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) encircled Kisii Governor Simba Arati's office, located at Gusii Stadium.
Reports have emerged, suggesting that the Governor encountered resistance while attempting to access the stadium, where he maintains a secondary office.
The GSU officers arrived at the scene in a police truck accompanied by additional police vehicles, but their exact purpose remains shrouded in mystery.
Sources have indicated that the GSU's presence at the office is a result of orders received from higher authorities.
Furthermore, it has been reported that the GSU battalion also conducted searches in some of the offices associated with the Governor, all of which are situated within the county's largest stadium.
Earlier, Governor Arati had publicly revealed that the GSU battalion had previously attempted to carry out a raid on his premises during the night. He insisted that any investigations should be conducted during daylight hours.
In a speech delivered on the preceding Sunday, the county leader implored the national government not to deploy police officers in ways that would harm the Kisii youth. He stressed that many of them rely on boda boda businesses for their livelihood.
He also voiced concerns about the actions of national political leaders who he believed were contributing to the division and instability within devolved units by polarizing the youth.
Arati emphasized the need for cooperation between the national and county governments, urging an end to the practice of dividing the youth along political lines, as they are all part of one community.
"We have 95,000 motorcycle riders, and I urge them to prioritize peace. We cannot tolerate any actions that lead to the injury of our youth by the police," he declared.
In recent months, Governor Arati has been in a state of conflict with the ruling Kenya Kwanza party. Reports have indicated that some leaders within the ruling coalition contemplated withdrawing security for select governors.
While Arati pledged to work in collaboration with the ruling government, he made it clear that he would not endorse the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He stated, "We cannot stand with someone who hurls insults at us. We are Kenyans, not outsiders. Those who talk about shares should encourage us to behave properly so that we can regain our security."
Arati holds the position of Deputy Chairperson of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a role he assumed on September 8, 2023.
