The year 2018 could prove critical in Simba Arati's ascendancy to national politics having used it as a stepping stone to his political ambitions outside Nairobi.
If his frequent trips to Gusii is anything to go by, then the second term legislator has effectively switched his political base from the city, having been elected twice at Dagoretti North.
Nine months ago, bouyed by a section of youths from both Nyamira and Kisii, Arati organised a function in which he was declared the Gusii community spokesperson.
So swift and calculative was the move, that it caught senior leadership from the region unaware, even forcing a number of them to castigate him in public.
"We can't allow people married to China to lead us. We have Fred Matiang'i as our leader and that must be respected," Senator Millicent Omanga once said.
But in defiance, the fairly wealthy Arati organised trips to various constituencies across the two counties banking his support on the youthful population.
In those rallies, Mr Arati ensured that elders played an integral role in organising them, a move that further won him support from the older generation.
"We had to bring everyone on board and explain why we needed someone to guide us. The community leadership was long overdue and luckily our people understood the mantra behind it," says Beavon Magare, one of his handlers.
And as such, an MP from Nyamira said, Arati has managed to show leadership prowess and is a step ahead than most of the leaders from the region.
"To be honest, he calculated well. Bringing a section of people together isn't that easy. He gets credit for that. He has even set pace for many of us. Eventually, the community will embrace his point," he said in confidence.
While his next move remains unclear, Arati is believed to be warming up for Kisii gubernatorial seat, and is expected to face Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka, who is serving his third term.
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