Office of the Governor

His Excellency Paul Simba Arati

Biography Information

His Excellency Paul Simba Arati

H.E. Simba Arati, born on 28th November 1981 in Kisii County, is a dedicated public servant and the current Governor of Kisii County. His leadership journey is defined by a strong commitment to community development, inclusive growth, and improved service delivery.

He began his career in National leadership in 2013 when he was elected Member of Parliament for Dagoretti North. During his tenure, he championed youth empowerment, expanded access to education, and improved healthcare services. He also advocated for enhanced social services and infrastructure development, laying a foundation for his future leadership roles.

In 2022, he was elected Governor of Kisii County, ushering in a new era of transformative development. His administration has prioritized sustainable economic growth, with a strong focus on agriculture to enhance food security and support small-scale farmers.

Governor Arati has made significant strides in expanding access to healthcare and education, ensuring that even remote communities benefit from essential services. His leadership is anchored on job creation for youth, infrastructure development, and fostering inclusive economic growth across the county.

A key achievement of his administration is the modernization of road infrastructure through major investments in plant machinery, including graders, tippers, excavators, rollers, bulldozers, wheel loaders, and backhoes. These efforts are steadily transforming the county’s transport network and improving connectivity.

In healthcare, his administration is establishing a state-of-the-art 200-bed Mother and Child Hospital, featuring a fully integrated One-Stop Centre with antenatal care, delivery services, maternity theatres, neonatal ICU, newborn units, and postnatal care ensuring continuous support from pregnancy through early childhood.

To strengthen specialized care, the county is also setting up a Doctor’s Plaza with 50 modern residential units for interns and visiting doctors, bringing expertise closer to the people.

He is also overseeing the development of a centralized County Headquarters Complex to improve efficiency and coordination in government operations, as well as key flagship projects such as the Governor’s Park and an Industrial Park aimed at promoting youth engagement, attracting investment, and creating employment opportunities.

Additionally, his administration has strengthened Level 4 hospitals, expanded access to clean water through various projects, and implemented a school feeding programme to boost enrolment and improve learning outcomes.

A cancer diagnostic and treatment centre is also underway, expected to enhance early detection and reduce the cost burden on patients who would otherwise seek care in cities such as Nairobi and Eldoret.

Through these initiatives, Governor Arati continues to position Kisii County as a County of inclusive growth, improved service delivery, and sustainable development.

County Governance

The Office of the Governor consists of the Governor, Deputy Governor, County Secretary, County Attorney, County Public Service Board and Advisors.

It is responsible for setting the County’s Development Agenda (Policy and Strategic direction) and ensuring that the agenda is clearly understood and owned by stakeholders (especially the citizenry) and implemented in an efficient, effective and responsive manner, by various County Departments. 

Mandate and Core Functions

  • Appointment of CECM and other Officers
  • Appointment of Task Forces
  • County Assembly Liaison Affairs office
  • Chairman County Executive Committee
  • Custodian of County Seal and Flag
  • County Honors and Awards
  • County Reception Service
  • Boundaries
  • Governor’s Council Liaison Office
  • Protection of the County’s interest
  • Direct and control functions of Departments
  • Appointment of County chief Officers
  • Appointment of other state officers as provided in the constitution or any other Law

The Five Point Pillars

PILLAR I: DEVOLUTION AND GOVERNANCE

Deepen and further decentralize the structures of governance and empower our community to hold public officers accountable; offer efficient and proximate services; Entrench the practice of public participation in formulation, prioritization, review and implementation of development programs. My commitment and that of my administration will be to have devolution deliver to the people of Kisii County.

PILLAR II: WEALTH CREATION

Pursue economic empowerment programs geared towards poverty eradication and improved livelihood. This will include – offering the best financial services as the hub of our region, operationalizing the 24-hour economy in the municipalities and townships and expanding the retail and hospitality services.

PILLAR III: SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Recognizing that the economy of Kisii County depends on the state natural and environmental resources, my administration will utilize and protect our environment and associated natural resources sustainably by: introducing innovative and participatory management of water towers notably hilltops throughout our county; encourage the planting of indigenous trees that are friendly to other land use practices, reclaim and protect the riparian land, wetlands and conserve our Nyangweta forest. Maintain clean urban areas by establishing modern eco-friendly municipal waste and sewerage management system that will be a model example to bench mark; establish a permanent solution to the rain water and drainage system.

PILLAR IV: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

We shall endeavor to improve robustly our education
programs in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), Vocational training, Village Polytechnics and Home craft through infrastructure development, equipping the centers with modern state-of-the-art facilities; hiring highly qualied and motivated tutors on improved terms of service.

PILLAR V: - ENABLERS AND ICT

Will involve the automation and digitalization of operations of the government and the expansion of infrastructures to all the 9 Sub Counties of our County.

Download Governor Simba Arati’s Manifesto

Key Policy Priorities

Under the leadership of H.E. Governor Paul Simba Arati, the Kisii County Government is committed to transforming livelihoods through people-centered development, economic empowerment and efficient service delivery.

Guided by the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027 and the Governor’s manifesto, the administration has prioritized the following key areas:

Agriculture and Food Security

The administration is focused on revitalizing agriculture as the backbone of the county’s economy. Priority is placed on supporting farmers through subsidized inputs, extension services, and strengthening key value chains such as coffee, bananas and dairy aiming at increasing productivity, enhancing food security and boosting household incomes.

Health Services Improvement

In line with Governor Arati’s commitment to accessible healthcare, the County is strengthening health systems by upgrading facilities, ensuring availability of essential medicines and enhancing human resource capacity. The implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains central, alongside targeted interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality.

Infrastructure Development

The County Government is investing in modern infrastructure to unlock economic potential. This includes expansion and maintenance of road networks, improvement of water supply and sanitation systems, and promotion of sustainable urban development to facilitate trade and improve living standards.

Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Sciences

The Arati administration prioritizes quality education and skills development as a foundation for long-term growth. Support to ECDE centres and vocational training institutions is being enhanced, alongside bursary programs and youth empowerment initiatives aimed at equipping young people with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

Trade, Tourism, Industry and Marketing

To stimulate economic growth and job creation, the County is promoting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), developing modern markets, supporting industrialization and value addition. These efforts are aimed at creating a conducive environment for business and investment.

Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change

The County is committed to ensuring sustainable access to clean and safe water for its residents. Environmental conservation, climate change mitigation and improved waste management systems are also key priorities in safeguarding natural resources.

Youth, Sports, Culture, Arts and Social Services

The administration is strengthening social protection programs to support vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Community empowerment initiatives, as well as promotion of sports and culture, are key to fostering inclusivity and social cohesion. It is developing sports infrastructure including the construction and rehabilitation of stadiums and training grounds across the county to provide safe, accessible and modern facilities. It is also identifying and nurturing talent in both sports and creative arts through structured programmes in schools, clubs, and community organizations, creating clear pathways from grassroots participation to professional development.

Governance, Public Administration and ICT

Enhancing transparency, accountability, and public participation is central to the Governor’s leadership. The County is digitizing services and strengthening institutional capacity to ensure efficient, responsive, and citizen-focused service delivery.

Economic Empowerment and Employment Creation

Job creation remains a top priority. The County is investing in youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and innovation, while promoting sectors with high employment potential to drive inclusive economic growth and improve livelihoods.

mission statement

Create and sustain governance arrangements for an enabling environment for economic growth, job creation, service delivery and social development

vision Statement

A people centered county governance

Office of the Governor

Dr. Otucho Obure Junior

Cheif Of Staff

Earnest Rachami Osoro

County Secretary

Alfred Ongiri Nyandieka

Office of the County Attorney

Dr. Kennedy Ben Mwengei Ombaba

CHIEF OFFICER – EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

H.E Hon. Paul Simba Arati Sworn In as Governor

His Excellency Paul Simba Arati takes the reins in Kisii County Kisii County Governor Paul Simba Arati and his deputy Dr. Robert Onsare Monda were sworn in,on 25th August 2022

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