With an imminent by-election following the death of area senator William Cheptumo and political realignments ahead of 2027, there have been calls for Gideon Moi to work with President William Ruto. 

Gideon appears to be walking a tightrope after ODM leader Raila Odinga entered into a political pact with President Ruto. 

Kanu had entered into a coalition with Azimio-One Kenya, led by Raila, in the run-up to the 2022 elections. Raila’s move to work with the Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) complicates matters for the Kanu boss. 

However, an unshaken Gideon has shrugged off calls to work with Ruto, arguing that he does not need to talk to anybody to reach out to the people of Baringo. 

“I don’t need a handshake. I need the people of Baringo’s handshake,” he said during the burial of former Baringo North MP Willy Kamuren at the weekend in Kabartonjo. 

Baringo County politicians led by MPs Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), William Kamket (Tiaty) and Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi argued that the region stood to reap a lot by working with the government. 

“Don’t confuse handshake with loyalty to the government. Just try Opposition and you’ll discover things are tough out in the cold. We are loyal to the President and we want to succeed as a people, as a county,” said Makilap who was at one time in Kanu. 

Cheboi advised Gideon that supporting the government of the day does not amount to sycophancy. 

“Loyalty means you are loyal to the giver. For now, we should be loyal to the present leadership,” said Cheboi who is serving his second and last term. 

He said the Kenya Kwanza administration has done a lot in the region, citing an improved road network and planned setting up of a public university in Kabarnet. 

“This has only been possible because we have spoken in one voice as leaders,” said Cheboi. 

The university had delayed to commence for the last 10 years after leaders and residents differed on where the institution should be located. 

According to Kamket, the political landscape is shifting drastically, noting that coalitions are now the way to go. 

“The syllabus is moving too fast. You now see the former Deputy President being the Leader of the Opposition while the former Opposition Leader is in the broad-based government,” said Kamket 

Kamket was the only leader in Baringo County who went against a strong UDA wave in the region and got re-elected on a Kanu ticket in the 2022 elections. 

Biblical John 

The other constituencies in Baringo County were all swept by UDA candidates: Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Makilap (Baringo North), and Charles Kamuren (Baringo South). 

Kamket likened himself to the biblical John the Baptist who went to open the way for the Kanu boss and urged him to join hands with President Ruto for the sake of Kalenjin unity. 

“I went to prepare the way for you (Gideon). It is now your time, and I foresee things being brighter for you in the next two years,” he told Moi. 

“I’ve broken all the thorns which were standing in your way. Come and let’s work together. As you can see, I’m just fine. I’ve even added weight,” he added. 

Ruto and Gideon had been embroiled in a battle of supremacy for the control of the Rift Valley with the former Baringo Senator at some point laughing off Ruto’s presidential ambitions which he termed as “far -fetched”. 

Ruto’s victory in the presidential race and Gideon’s defeat in his backyard in the 2022 elections were a major setback to the last-born son of the late retired President Daniel Arap Moi. 

Lobbying to succeed Cheptumo has begun even before the seat is declared vacant. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission which is expected to declare the seat vacant is yet to be reconstituted. The selection panel is in the process of interviewing candidates who applied for the position of chairperson and members. 

Divided opinion 

There has been a push for an immediate family member to succeed the late senator but opinion is divided on this. 

Rev Zachariah Chirchir of AIC Baringo North cautioned about this push warning that such a move “could be exploited by political opportunists”. 

According to Rev. Chirchir, grieving families are often vulnerable, making it easy for self-serving politicians to manipulate them for their own interests. 

“We must be careful not to let political orphans take advantage of the mourning family,” Rev Chirchir told People Daily.