03/01/2026
MACHOGU VS. ARATI: A New Political Chapter in Kisii County.
By Kisii Pulse – The heartbeat of Kisii County
As the 2027 gubernatorial race in Kisii County begins to shape up, one of the most talked‑about developments is the growing political momentum around Hon. Ezekiel Machogu Ombaki, the former Cabinet Secretary for Education, and his drive to reclaim the county’s top seat from the incumbent Governor Paul Simba Arati.
Machogu first entered the Kisii governor’s race in the 2022 general elections, contesting on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket. Although he was a seasoned public servant and political figure, he finished second to Governor Simba Arati of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Arati secured 270,928 votes, while Machogu garnered 82,104, illustrating a clear but not insurmountable gap between the two leaders’ support bases.
Since then, Machogu has continued to maintain a strong presence both in national public service and in Kisii political discourse. After the 2022 polls, President William Ruto appointed him as Cabinet Secretary for Education, a role he served in until officially handing over to his successor in August 2024. His extensive career spans over four decades, beginning as a District Officer and advancing through senior civil service roles, parliamentary representation as MP for Nyaribari Masaba, and finally cabinet leadership — giving him a reputation as a seasoned administrator with deep roots in governance.
Arati, on the other hand, has leveraged his tenure since 2022 to build his profile as a community‑focused leader, emphasizing sustainable development, agricultural growth, healthcare expansion, and educational access across the county — pillars he touts as key achievements of his administration. Despite this, his leadership has not gone unchallenged, with critics questioning aspects of his record and academic credentials publicly — a debate Arati has firmly addressed, emphasizing his qualifications and commitment to service.
Political analysts and county observers note that Machogu’s political capital does not solely rest on past roles, but on his ability to capitalize on county concerns about governance, service delivery, and economic opportunities — issues that resonate with many voters particularly in rural and peri‑urban areas. With voices from within the county leadership ranks suggesting a competitive 2027 race and multiple contenders emerging, Machogu appears poised to make another bid for the Kisii governor’s seat, this time with the experience of both national leadership and grassroots connections backing his campaign narrative.
Whether Machogu’s determination will translate into victory remains a subject of intense interest as grassroots mobilization gains traction and political alliances crystallize ahead of 2027. One thing is clear: Kisii’s political landscape is entering a dynamic phase, and Machogu’s challenge to Governor Arati is shaping up to be one of the county’s defining contests..
