Bring it on, Senator Moi dares rivals in ‘22 polls
Wycliffe Kipsang
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi retreated to his home turf at the weekend from where he dared his rivals to prepare for a bruising political battle in next year’s elections.
Gideon, who has hinted at running for President in 2022, camped in his backyard mingling with residents over the weekend.
He also held meetings at his Sacho home with religious and political leaders as well as community elders to seek their blessings ahead of the political contest.
On Sunday, he attended a church service at AIC Tandui in Baringo Central sub-county.
“I am sure I will floor all my opponents in the ballot if I get the support of the Kalenjin community.
My journey starts here at home and I’m counting on your support. I will not disappoint you,” the senator told Baringo residents.
Kanu is set to make a declaration after a delegates meeting at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on September 30, Gideon disclosed.
“We are well prepared to face our opponents at the ballot. No retreat, no surrender,” he told residents.
Coalition deals
Secretary-General Nick Salat yesterday said Kanu has entered into coalitions with other like-minded parties ahead of the General Election.
The independence party is already in a post-election coalition with the ruling Jubilee Party. Gideon is also a key member of One Kenya Alliance.
“We have supported other parties since 2002. We appeal to Kenyans to support us in next year’s polls,” Salat told People Daily.Salat said plans are at an advanced stage for the party to unveil its master plan to Kenyans.
Gideon’s move is widely seen as an effort to reduce the influence of Deputy President William Ruto in the area where the DP has been making inroads.
Ruto has toured Baringo county a record 10 times in the past year alone to launch several development projects.
Indeed, his tours have yielded fruits with a number of leaders allied to him among them former Eldama-Ravine MP Musa Sirma and several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which is allied to Ruto.
The senator Moi and the Deputy President have been embroiled in a protracted battle for the control of the Rift Valley vote and Baringo county is turning out to be one of the battle grounds for the duo.
Gideon has also toured Ruto’s Uasin-Gishu backyard to meet local leaders as he seeks to solidify his support in an area considered a UDA stronghold.
Kanu and UDA will flex political muscle in the region for the top seats. A tough battle is also expected in the Woman Rep and Senatorial seats race currently held by Kanu’s Gladwell Cheruiyot and Gideon respectively.
Ruto’s allies seeking the UDA ticket to unseat Cheruiyot include Susan Chesiyna who came second to Cheruiyot in 2017, Rebecca Lomong and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Florence Jematia.
Unity efforts
There have been fears that should Gideon and Ruto vie for the presidency, the Kalenjin community’s chances of ascending to State House will be slim.
However, Cheruiyot argues that there is nothing wrong in the two seeking the top seat.
“I see nothing wrong in that. What is important is for the community to unite and the people will decide who is best placed to lead the country,” said Cheruiyot, a close ally of Gideon’s.
During his tour of the region, Gideon was accompanied by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio, former Nominated Senator Zipporah Kittony, Tiaty MP William Kamket and some Kanu national delegates among others.
