The stage has been set for Deputy President William Ruto and Kanu chairman Gideon Moi to square it out once again in Baringo County after the latter was cleared by the Independent Electoral and  Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to defend his Senate seat.

Up until a few weeks ago, the Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was almost sure of winning the seat after Gideon announced that he would not defend it to focus on national politics.

But Gideon, who is the son of third President Daniel arap Moi, later made an about-turn and decided to go for re-election. He was first elected to the Senate in 2013 and retained  the seat in 2017.

Baringo North MP William Cheptumo is the UDA senate candidate.

In the UDA primaries in April, Cheptumo garnered 69,420 votes followed by Isaiah Kirukmet who got 45,681 votes.

 The two have already hit the ground running with Kabarnet Municipal Market becoming the new political battlefield.

Gideon, who is riding on the slogan “Oweku teta gaa” (return the cow home) visited the market on Monday after he was cleared by IEBC.

Bolster chances

He says he has several projects to implement and has appealed to voters to support him.

“I’m your son and I beseech you to support me. You know my opponents are there, but I am the best person for that position,” he said in Kabarnet town after he was cleared.

Other than Gideon and Cheptumo, others who are eyeing the seat are Felix Kiprono Chelaite of The Service Party (TSP), Florence Jelagat (Independent) and David Kipruto (Independent).

Gideon’s re-entry into Baringo politics poses a challenge to Ruto who has been seeking to solidify his support in Rift Valley to bolster his chances of winning the August presidential election.

Gideon belongs to the Azimio-One Kenya coalition whose presidential candidate is Raila Odinga.

For almost a decade now, the Senator and the Deputy President have been embroiled in a supremacy war in the Rift Valley region. 

In the past six months, Ruto has toured Baringo County ten times. 

National politics

During the visits, he accused the Senator of abandoning residents despite having elected him  twice.

DP’s allies have also branded Gideon a stranger in his own county, with Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen declaring himself the acting Baringo senator.

During a Kenya Kwanza tour of the county last week, Murkomen, a close ally of Ruto, claimed Gideon had told him that, after his re-election in 2017, he started to focus on national politics.

“I’m surprised to hear that he is opting for the Baringo senate seat now. This is like going up to university and going back to nursery school,” said Murkomen, who has also been cleared to defend his seat.

Cheptumo argues that Ruto has delivered many development projects in Baringo, hence the need for the electorate to elect him (Cheptumo) as the next Senator.

“I’m a key member of Kenya Kwanza and I understand the needs of the people. We have a deliberate economic plan for all including women. We will benefit a lot as a county as we have already signed an economic charter with Kenya Kwanza,” said Cheptumo.

“Mine will be to be with the people on the ground. I will always be with you on the ground. I will always put the county government on toes for your needs to be taken care of if you elect me your Senator,” he added.

Cheptumo promised to set up a cooperative society bringing together all women groups in Baringo County.

Six constituencies

Gideon’s allies led by Tiaty MP William Kamket and Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat have defended his decision to go back to county politics. Kamket said Kanu had been instrumental in the formation of the Azimio coalition which he predicted would win the upcoming election.

“Kanu has created a powerful coalition that will form the next government,” he told People Daily.

Baringo County has more than 232,258 registered voters spread across six constituencies.

Eldama Ravine has the highest, 54,742 voters, followed by Baringo North (42,774), Baringo Central (38,388), Baringo South (35,162), Mogotio (32,276) and Tiaty (28, 916).