A youth caucus from the Gusii community has endorsed Kisii Governor Simba Arati for the Deputy President position in the 2027 General Election, saying he would be well placed to work alongside President William Ruto if he seeks re-election.
Led by National Broad-Based Youth Council Chairman Beavon Magare, the group made the endorsement during a media briefing in Kisii town on Saturday.
Magare said the decision followed extensive consultations with UDA and ODM delegates from the region, as the two parties continue working together under the broad-based government.
He said the proposed partnership between Ruto and Arati would help address regional political considerations while strengthening cooperation between the two parties.
“The engagement will ensure regional political balance,” Magare said.
The caucus also called on ODM leaders to include Arati in the proposed five-member negotiating team that is expected to engage UDA in discussions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The group explained that the negotiations should focus on developing a coordinated political strategy that builds on areas where the two parties have support while avoiding unnecessary competition between their candidates and supporters.
“We believe such a ticket would send a powerful message of national unity, inclusivity, and regional balance. We also recognize the contribution our region has made and we must ensure we are part of the next government,” Magare said.
The youth caucus would take its campaign for the proposed Ruto-Arati ticket beyond Kisii County by mobilising support in other parts of the country.
Magare further elaborated that the group planned to move from county to county to rally young people behind the proposed ticket, with the campaign centred on political unity and development.
The endorsement comes as political leaders and groups allied to the broad-based administration begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Samson Mokaya, a member of the caucus, also backed Arati’s inclusion in the negotiations between ODM and UDA, describing the governor as a potential asset to the proposed political partnership.
“Simba Arati is young and energetic to help run the country, and he has managed to unite the community,” Mokaya noted.
The caucus also cited Arati’s record in Kisii County as part of the reasons for supporting his elevation to the national political stage.
Esther Kwamboka and Lilian Kemunto said the governor had overseen major development projects in the county and had attracted support among young people.
They said the group had already begun mobilising youths and registering them as voters as part of efforts to strengthen its political base ahead of the 2027 polls.
The caucus said its mobilisation efforts would focus on promoting unity while ensuring the Gusii community has a voice in negotiations over the political leadership of the country.
Its endorsement places Arati among leaders being proposed by different political groups for senior positions in the 2027 contest, as parties and their supporters begin shaping possible alliances and campaign strategies.