Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap has clashed with his Mogotio counterpart, Kiborek Reuben, over the senatorial bid of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirant Chemitei Kiprono.

The fallout began after Makilap, in a statement posted on his social media pages on Saturday, October 5, 2025, criticised UDA candidate Chemitei Kiprono.

He stated that arrogance, disrespect, and the profiling of communities for political gain would not be tolerated in Baringo politics.

Makilap emphasised that leadership in the county requires humility, respect for heritage and diversity, and a genuine commitment to serve the people, not pride, division, or political scheming.

Kiborek reacted sharply to Makilap’s remarks, dismissing his statement and defending Chemitei.

He accused Makilap of wanting total control over Baringo North politics. According to Kiborek, since Chemitei also hails from the same area, Makilap fears that his influence might be challenged due to Chemitei’s sharpness and growing popularity.

Makilap’s motive

Kiborek stated that during the Karen consensus meeting, Makilap, alongside other leaders, expressed unwillingness to allow any alternative leader to rise from Baringo North because he wanted exclusive control over the region’s politics.

He claimed that Makilap even remarked that Chemitei would be troublesome if elected senator and opposed the idea of having a governor from Baringo North so that he could remain the only dominant leader from the area.

“At the sidelines of the Karen consensus meeting, you told us, together with Jematia and Kamket, that you don’t want any alternative leader in Baringo North because you want total control of North.

“In your own words, you said Tobolei ‘ako na kiherehere atanisumbua kwa ground’ if elected senator. You even said you don’t want a governor from Baringo North ndio ukue the only leader from the North,” Kiborek stated.

Reason behind Makilap’s shift

According to Kiborek, at first he was in full support of Chemitei, but after noting the northern dynamics which were opposed to Chemitei’s bid, he switched camps and supported Chemitei’s opponent.

Kiborek further argued that when Makilap’s constituents realised his last-minute support for Chemitei was insincere, he sought to create an imaginary enemy to deflect blame. He noted that dishonesty always catches up with politicians, accusing Makilap of attacking others to save his political career.

He went on to describe Makilap as dishonest, greedy, and insecure, arguing that true leadership requires integrity and openness.

 He said that being honest means saying in public what one says in private, while insecurity is shown by trying to suppress others to maintain personal dominance.

 He added that political greed involves consolidating all power for oneself at the expense of others, urging leaders to build, mentor, and allow others to grow.

According to Kiborek, political positions are not permanent or a birthright, and leadership should be about serving others, not self-interest.

MPs from the county are now entangled in a clash as they head towards November 27.