Kindiki to tour Baringo as Senate race heats up
By Wycliffe Kipsang, August 2, 2025Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is set to tour Baringo County today, as the race to succeed the late Senator William Cheptumo gathers pace ahead of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party primaries.
People Daily has established that at least 14 aspirants have expressed interest in the seat, with more than 10 of them seeking the UDA ticket.
Among those eyeing the party nomination are Daniel Kiptoo, Wycliffe Kipsang Tobole, Victor Sumukwo Chepkunur, Linus Kamket, Vincent Chemitei, Felix Kiprono Chelaite, Emanuel Ngetuny, and Evans Bett Mundulel.
Others include Silas Tochim, Isaiah Kirukmet, Reuben Chepsongol, and former Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui.
Kindiki will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, during a major economic empowerment event in Baringo Central constituency.
The senatorial race is expected to take centre stage during the visit.
According to Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie, the visit is part of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to improve livelihoods through targeted empowerment initiatives.
The programme aims to create opportunities for the youth, empower women and persons with disabilities, and boost the local economy through grassroots-driven development.
“This visit marks a key moment for Baringo Central, as we welcome national leaders to join hands with us in championing progress and sustainable development,” said Kandie.
However, Kindiki’s visit comes amid growing concerns among aspirants that senior government officials may have preferred candidates and could interfere with the forthcoming UDA primaries.
“We will not accept any candidate being imposed on the people. Baringo residents must be allowed to choose their leaders freely,” said one UDA aspirant, who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation.
Locals, especially youth, have also warned that UDA risks losing its overwhelming support in the region if the primaries are tainted by irregularities.
“Baringo is not a recycling centre for politicians who hinder the ambitions of young leaders. We are watching closely how the party will conduct its primaries,” said Billy Yatich, a youth leader from Baringo Central.
Last Friday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen encountered the simmering political tension during the Jukwaa La Usalama forum held at Baringo National Polytechnic in Kabarnet. He opted not to allow senatorial aspirants to address the gathering.
Other contenders in the race to replace Cheptumo include Gilbert G. Malema and KANU Chairman Gideon Moi.
The aspirants have been traversing the vast county in a race against time to sell their agenda to the electorate ahead of the primaries.
Although former CS Chelugui has not formally declared his candidature, he has been crisscrossing the county to promote his political agenda.
He is believed to be interested in the UDA ticket. The former CS contested the Baringo Senate seat in 2017 but lost to Gideon Moi.
Moi, a political heavyweight, is also said to be eyeing a comeback after losing the seat to Cheptumo in 2022.
While he is yet to officially declare his intentions, he has recently re-emerged in public events after a two-year absence from active politics.
It is not yet clear which party Malema, a vocal critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, will use to vie for the seat.
The upcoming by-election is expected to be a major test of UDA’s dominance in Baringo and the greater Rift Valley region, as Kanu attempts a political resurgence.
Cheptumo, a close ally of President William Ruto, had served three terms as MP for Baringo North constituency before joining the Senate.
He passed away in February after a short illness.