Gideon Moi resurfaces after political hiatus, joins Kalonzo in opposition rallies
KANU party leader and former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has resurfaced after a political hiatus that has lasted for months.
On Sunday, Moi joined Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for a political tour in the Mt Kenya region where Kalonzo has pitched camp this weekend.
Kalonzo, in his 'meet the people tour', was also accompanied by Usawa party leader Mwangi wa Iria and DAP Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa.
In what seems like a rejuvenated opposition in preparation for 2027, Kalonzo has been holding several rallies in the country as he tries to woo the masses in a bid to unseat President William Ruto.
Moi's back to action in the political scene comes days after he hosted Kalonzo and wa Iria in his Kabarak home in Nakuru on Wednesday. Moi has not been active in politics since he lost his seat in the 2022 General Elections.
This comes at a time when ODM party leader Raila Odinga is exiting local politics as he eyes the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
During the Homa Bay International Investment Conference, Kalonzo said opposition followers should not be worried about Raila's exit, since he is ready to fill his shoes.
“He now needs President Ruto’s vote and so he cannot now say Zakayo shuka chini,” Kalonzo said.
“There is no vacuum in leadership when Raila leaves. I am available, and the Azimio coalition will put the government on the right track on governance. My brother Raila's candidature is bipartisan."
Raila declared his candidacy for the position on February 15, 2024, as he seeks to replace the incumbent, Moussa Faki.
“Today, I want to make it public that I am ready to go for the chairmanship of the Africa Union. I am ready and offer myself to be of service to this African content when called upon. I believe that Africa is playing in a league that it should not play in and that it deserves better,” Raila said on February 15, 2024.
However, speaking in Kisii, Raila ruled out retirement from local politics amid his bid for the AUC chairmanship.
During the opening of the Marani Vegetable Aggregation and Marketing Centre in Kisii County on February 29, the former prime said securing the coveted seat would not deter him from contributing to local political affairs during his free time.
He also assured his supporters that he would not hesitate to avail himself should they need his services in the local political scene.
“If Kenyans will need me for any other job I'll be available, I will take a break from the AU and come deal with the job Kenyans have given me,” Raila told Kisii residents.
"I will come back to work for Kenyans because what we had said we would do I must deliver."
So far, Raila has revealed that he has the backing of several presidents from the region including Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and Tanzania's Samia Suluhu.
"I have been running around trying to get support from different heads of state. I was in Namibia the other day. I went to the President of Uganda after I had talked to him to go and ask for his support. We met there with Mr Ruto who had also gone there to talk about issues they are having with oil, the G to G," Raila stated.
The campaign to replace the current AUC chair Moussa Faki is set to officially begin once all interested candidates submit their applications by May this year.
Suitable candidates are required to have a Master's degree in a wide rage of academic fields including Law, International Relations, Economics, Diplomacy, Management, Business Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
According to the AU, a PhD in Law, International Relations, Diplomacy, Management, Business Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences or closely related field from a recognized institution is an added advantage.
