Gideon Moi Withdraws Bid
Gideon Moi, the head of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party, has decided to step back from the Baringo Senatorial by-election. He made the announcement on Thursday, just a week after he had expressed his desire to enter the race.
KANU’s Secretary General, George Wainaina, confirmed that the party won’t be putting forward a candidate, which likely gives the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) an unchallenged path in the upcoming elections.
Prior to this announcement, Gideon had not submitted his nomination papers to the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC), leading to protests from his supporters in his stronghold of Kabarnet on Thursday, October 9.
His supporters gathered at the Baringo Airstrip, eagerly waiting for Gideon to arrive and submit his papers. The IEBC had given him a time slot between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, but the former Baringo Senator didn’t show up before the deadline passed.
Gideon’s choice to drop out came after news of a secret meeting with President William Ruto at State House, which was thought to revolve around the upcoming Baringo race.
His visit to State House was at Ruto’s invitation, and it seems the two leaders had an open conversation about the contest and other pressing national matters. Gideon was joined by KANU Secretary General Wainaina and former Baringo Woman Representative Gladwell Cheruiyot.
Moi’s decision to run stirred things up within Ruto’s UDA, as a poor result in the Baringo by-election could have serious repercussions for Ruto’s standing in the wider Rift Valley area.
Not long ago, Gideon had vowed not to team up with the current administration and was thought to be using the Standard Group, a company linked to him, to launch strong critiques against the government.
Moi had lost the Baringo seat in the 2022 General Election to the late William Cheptumo, with Ruto’s UDA sweeping through several other elective positions in what was seen as KANU’s stronghold.
In the upcoming by-elections on November 27, Ruto’s UDA will be represented by Vincent Chemitei.
Gideon Moi Withdraws Bid
