Kisii County Governor Simba Arati has taken a light-hearted but firm stand against critics who have long questioned his command of the English language. Speaking at a public function over the weekend, the Governor used his own marriage as proof of his linguistic skills.
Accompanied by his wife, Arati addressed a large crowd to clarify how he managed to win the heart of a Chinese national despite the rumours about his fluency.
Winning a Heart in English
The Governor told the gathered residents that his ability to speak English was the very tool that allowed him to marry his wife, Mei Arati. He dismissed allegations that he struggles with the language, asserting that he used a sophisticated version of it during their courtship.
Arati explained that he did not rely on local slang or broken sentences when he first met her. Instead, he claimed to have used pure, fluent English to express his feelings and secure her hand in marriage.
“Do you think when I was seducing my Chinese wife, I was using the Ekegusii language? I used pure English,” Arati said in the Gusii language.
The People’s ‘Kwamboka’
During the event, Governor Arati introduced his wife to the attendees. Mei Arati is a Chinese national, but she has become a familiar figure in the region. She is affectionately known by the local Gusii nickname, “Kwamboka.“
The Governor paused his speech to ask the women in the crowd for their honest opinion on his wife’s appearance. He asked the audience if they found her beautiful.
“And as you can see, is she not beautiful?” Arati asked the crowd.
The crowd responded in unison, loudly confirming that they did.
Following this warm reception, Arati asked the residents to allow her to greet them. The gesture was met with cheers, further cementing her place in the local community.
Defending His Reputation
The Governor’s comments come after various political opponents and social media critics suggested he was not articulate enough for high-level diplomacy. By bringing his wife into the conversation, Arati sought to show that his communication skills were effective enough to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps.
Reports indicate that Arati met his partner while pursuing a degree in Business Management at Guangzhou University in Guangdong province, China, from where he graduated in 2006.
Mei Arati,orKwamboka, has lived in Kenya for several years. She is often seen supporting her husband at various official functions, though she typically keeps a low profile.
