Gideon Moi withdraws from Baringo Senate race after Ruto meeting

President William Ruto holds a meeting with KANU National Chairman Gideon Moi at State House, Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY

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The Kenya African National Union (KANU) party National
Chairman Gideon Moi has bowed out of the Baringo Senatorial race in the
forthcoming by-elections following a series of meetings held with President
William Ruto.
According to KANU Secretary General George Wainaina, the party
will not field a candidate in the County, leaving the field open for
united Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Kiprono Cheburet Chemitei and five
other candidates to compete.
Reports indicated that two leaders had engaged in three previous
meetings in recent times, with President Ruto appealing to Moi to bow out of
the race in favour of UDA's candidate.
This even as Chemitei's
convoy was on Thursday confronted by agitated KANU supporters at the Monument
in Kabarnet, necessitating him to flee via a helicopter from Kiptilit to reach
the IEBC center and submit his nomination papers.
His clearance occurred in a climate of heightened political
tension in Baringo, exacerbated by Moi's failure to submit his nomination
papers, leaving motorcycle taxi riders and his supporters at Kabarnet Airstrip
in a state of disappointment.
The development comes a week after KANU fielded Gideon Moi as the party's candidate for
the Baringo Senatorial by-election.
“This decision underscores the party’s unwavering commitment
to offering experienced, visionary, and people-centered leadership at a
critical juncture for Baringo County and the nation at large,” read part of
KANU's statement then.
The senatorial seat fell vacant following the death of Baringo
Senator William Cheptumo on February 16, this year.
Cheptumo, who was serving his first term in office after
defeating Gideon Moi in the 2022 General Election, passed away while undergoing
treatment at the Nairobi Hospital.
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