Kawira Mwangaza laments kidnapping after UMP candidate in Baringo senatorial race resurfaces
By Luke Oluoch, October 12, 2025Kawira Mwangaza has raised alarm over the abduction of Umoja na Maendeleo Party (UMP) Baringo Senatorial candidate Daniel Kipchirchir Kurui, who was found after being missing for several hours on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
In a Sunday update on Facebook, Mwangaza reported that Daniel Kipchirchir Kurui had resurfaced after a 24-hour ordeal in the hands of unknown captors.
According to Mwangaza. Kurui was coerced into withdrawing his candidature during the ordeal, but he refused.
“He has provided our party with a harrowing account of his ordeal. Hon. Kurui confirms that he and several other candidates were held against their will at an undisclosed location. In this covert facility, they were subjected to a coordinated campaign of intimidation, harassment, and outright bribery by powerful political operatives. The singular goal of this illegal operation was to coerce them into signing withdrawal documents from the senatorial race,” she stated.
Affront to democracy
The party condemned the incident, terming it a direct affront to Kenya’s democracy.
“This incident is no longer merely an allegation of intimidation; it is a confirmed case of political kidnapping and coercion. It represents a direct and violent assault on our democracy, designed to rob the people of Baringo of their right to a competitive election,” she added.
The party also lauded Kurui for displaying courage and refusing to bow to pressure.
“Our candidate, Hon. Kirui, has shown immense courage and integrity by refusing to bow to these corrupt and anti-democratic tactics. His resolve is unshaken, and his commitment to the people of Baringo is stronger than ever. However, the Umoja na Maendeleo Party (UMP) remains undeterred.”
Mwangaza’s lamentation comes a few days after KANU chair Gideon Moi opted out of the Baringo Senatorial race following a meeting at State House with President William Ruto.
Moi detailed that he had no option but to listen to Ruto regarding the senatorial succession politics in the particular devolved unit.
”The president (William Ruto) knows why I never made it to the ballot. I had some unfinished business in Baringo, from roads to dams; that’s why I decided to vie. Because President Ruto was elected by Kenyans, I decided to listen to him,” Gideon Moi said.