Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has asked his political rivals to brace for a tough battle in the General Election, escalating an intense rivalry with Deputy President William Ruto. Speaking on Sunday after a service at AIC Kabarnet, the Kanu chairman said the election will be a battle of the titans, not for the fainthearted.
Addressing supports in his local dialect, the senator assured that he is equal to the task and well-prepared to win the presidency in order to improve lives. I am challenging my political rivals to brace for tough battles as this is going to be one of titans," said Mr Moi, who registered interest in the top seat days ago, joining several bigwigs keen on succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta.
I do not want to state the obvious A week ago, a section of politicians from the Rift Valley region and close allies of DP Ruto differed with the Kanu boss on who between them is best-placed to take over from President Kenyatta. The leaders, who spoke in Maregut, Baringo North, at the wedding of North Rift region Economic Bloc Noreb coordinator Joseph Makilap, said the Kalenjin community must unite and speak in one voice in order to clinch the presidency next year. Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos drummed up support for their preferred candidates but warned that political division in the region threatens to cost the community the presidency.
Succession politics dominated the ceremony, with the rivalry between the DP and the Kanu chairman for control of the vote-rich Rift Valley playing out.
Governor Tolgos ignited the debate after saying the region cannot afford to be in the opposition and insisting they support Senator Moi in his quest to become President. The county boss, a close ally of the Kanu chairman, said the writing is on the wall on who will succeed President Kenyatta and asked Rift Valley's leaders to read from one script.
We cannot be in the opposition," said Governor Tolgos. Our ultimate goal is for this community to take the top seat, and that can only happen if we unite. Governor Mandago dismissed Mr Tolgos' sentiments, saying Dr Ruto stands a better chance of taking over power because of his development track record.
I think he is looking into the possibility of how he can split the votes between him and Ruto and with that One Kenya Alliance will benefit. In recent months, it is believed he and Odinga have been in secret talks on how to convince Odinga to come on board. Odinga has said he is keen to reconnect with other key political leaders and have a common understanding, but it is not clear if he will join the One Kenya Alliance or form another grouping.
Maina Karobia, a political analyst, says the move by Moi is calculated because he wants to be at the negotiation table. In addition, if by any chance the constitution is amended through the Building Bridges Initiative he might end up being Prime Minister.
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Give yourself a headstart: Get full access to The Africa Report on all your devices. Subscribe now. While Mudavadi and co have indicated that they want to formalise their One Kenya coalition with Gideon Moi and his Kenya African National Union there is no sign that this is close to being a viable election-winning vehicle without the support of Kenyatta Odinga or both The other possible contestants — Musalia Mudavadi and Kalonzo Musyoka — sometimes talk about fronting a third force possibly led by Gideon Moi who himself seems unsure Despite attempts by Baringo Senator and Kenya African National Union party leader Gideon Moi son of the former President to take Ruto's position as the political kingpin in the Rift Valley the Deputy President is confident that he retains overwhelming support of the Kalenjin community once the fiefdom of President Moi
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