In a stunning political reversal, Kenya African National Union (KANU) party leader Gideon Moi has dropped out of the Baringo Senatorial by-election race, a move that followed a secret meeting with President William Ruto and has significant implications for the political landscape of the Rift Valley.
The former senator revealed his withdrawal on Thursday, barely a week after initially announcing his intention to contest. The decision was confirmed by KANU Secretary General George Wainaina, who stated the party would not field a candidate, effectively granting Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) a free run in the upcoming November 27 polls.
The signs of this abrupt withdrawal were visible earlier in the day. Gideon Moi’s supporters had gathered at the Baringo Airstrip, waiting for him to present his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The commission had allocated him a window between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm to submit his papers, but the former senator failed to appear by the deadline, prompting protests from his supporters in his Kabarnet stronghold.
This dramatic exit was precipitated by a clandestine meeting at State House. Gideon’s visit, which followed an invitation from President Ruto, is believed to have been the venue for candid discussions about the upcoming contest and other national issues. He was accompanied by KANU’s Secretary General, Wainaina, and former Baringo Woman Representative Gladwell Cheruiyot.
Gideon Moi’s initial decision to contest had sent ripples of concern through Ruto’s UDA camp. A potential negative outcome for UDA in the Baringo by-election was seen as a direct threat to the President’s influence in the greater Rift Valley region.
The seat became vacant following the death of William Cheptumo, who had unseated Gideon Moi in the 2022 General Election—a race where UDA trounced KANU across multiple other elective seats in what was once considered a KANU stronghold.
The State House meeting marks a significant détente between the two leaders. Previously, Gideon had been a vocal critic of the government and was believed to have used the Standard Group, a company affiliated with him, to heavily criticize the administration. His withdrawal and the subsequent political truce have effectively cleared the path for UDA’s candidate, Vincent Chemitei, and consolidated Ruto’s hold in a crucial political region.
