Elroy Ramage
President William Ruto revealed he personally convinced KANU chairman Gideon Moi to withdraw from the Baringo senatorial by-election The decision, he said, came after a private conversation focused on reconciliation and unity in the Rift Valley During a tour of the Baringo area, Ruto drummed up support for UDA candidate Kiprono Chemitei TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
President William Ruto revealed that KANU national chairman Gideon Moi stepped down from the upcoming Baringo senatorial by-election after he personally requested him to do so.
William Ruto with Gideon Moi at State House Nairobi. Photo: William Ruto.
Source: Facebook Ruto said he reached out to Moi to encourage political reconciliation, describing the conversation as a moment of mutual respect and maturity.
According to the president, Moi agreed to the request as a gesture of goodwill to ease political tensions in the Rift Valley and promote unity among leaders.
Speaking in Baringo county during an inspection of the Marigat–Mochongoi Road, Ruto said he approached Moi as a friend and peer, asking him to let younger leaders take up the mantle.
“I spoke to my brother Gideon and told him that we are of the same generation. I asked him, in goodwill, to allow the youth to take charge as we plan the next steps,” Ruto said, noting that Moi received the message with grace and understanding. The president added that Gideon’s decision was a sign of leadership and collaboration, saying it would strengthen the government’s focus on infrastructure development and economic growth in the region.
Did Ruto campaign for UDA candidate in Baringo by-election? He also pointed out that unity among leaders was vital for national stability and development.
During his address, Ruto rallied Baringo residents to support UDA’s candidate, Kiprono Chemitei, in the November 27 poll, describing him as a promising young leader.
“This young man has passed the test. I ask you to support him. He is like a son to me,” Ruto told the crowd. The withdrawal also brought an unexpected twist to the by-election, which had been viewed as Gideon Moi’s political comeback after his 2022 loss to UDA’s Samuel Chepkonga.
President William Ruto with Gideon Moi during a past meeting in Kabarak on October 10. Photo: William Ruto.
Source: Facebook Murkomen hits campaign trail days after Babu Owino’s petition Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who joined Ruto on the campaign trail, praised the head of state for his commitment to mentoring young leaders.
Murkomen said Ruto had played a key role in shaping the political journeys of several leaders, including himself, Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Nandi governor Stephen Sang, and Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek, among others.
He recalled how Ruto guided him during his early days in politics, helping him grow into a national figure.
“When I was elected to the Senate, I was younger than Chemitei, barely 30 years old. You guided me until I became known across Kenya, and later trusted me with another role as Cabinet secretary,” Murkomen said. He urged the president to extend the same mentorship to Chemitei, the UDA candidate in the Baringo by-election.
“Your Excellency, I ask on behalf of the younger generation, guide Chemitei as you did for us. The people will vote for him, but help him become a great leader,” he added. Interestingly, Murkomen’s appearance came only a day after Embakasi East MP Babu Owino filed a petition in court seeking to bar Cabinet secretaries and other state officials from taking part in political campaigns or related activities.
How did Baringo residents react to Gideon dropping out of the race? TUKO.co.ke previously reported that Baringo residents expressed frustration after Gideon Moi failed to present his nomination papers for the upcoming senatorial by-election.
He had been scheduled to appear before the IEBC in Kabarnet on October 9 but did not show up within the allocated time.
Thousands of his supporters, who had gathered at the Kabarnet Airstrip to accompany him to the IEBC offices, were left disappointed when news spread that he would not attend.
Soon after, protests erupted in Kabarnet Town as angry residents marched through the streets chanting anti-government slogans and declaring that there would be no election without Moi’s participation.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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