Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology chairman Gideon Moi during a public hearing on the County Printer Bill on May 15, 2018. Among those who shared memos was the Kenya Professional Printers Association. DIANA NGILA (NAIROBI)
In a dramatic turn of events, Kanu chairman Gideon Moi on Thursday dropped out of the Baringo Senate race in favour of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, Vincent Chemitei, who is backed by President William Ruto.
The move follows Mr Moi’s surprise meeting with President Ruto at State House the day before. At the time, sources pointed to behind-the-scenes negotiations to have the Kanu Chairman shelve his Baringo senatorial bid in the upcoming November 27 by-election.
Now, it appears that President Ruto got his way.
For hours today (Thursday), before the announcement that Mr Moi had pulled out, all roads in Baringo led to Kabarnet. Red-shirted Kanu supporters danced, sang and waved flags outside the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) offices, waiting for Mr Moi to show up and submit his nomination papers for the Baringo senatorial by-election.
However, joy turned to restlessness and, finally, dismay when it emerged that he would not be showing up after all.
Finally, instead of Mr Moi, UDA’s Mr Chemitei dropped in via helicopter to submit his nomination papers to IEBC at Rehabilitation Center before the 5pm deadline.
Shortly after, chaos rocked Kabarnet town as Kanu supporters staged demos after Mr Moi bowed out of the race.
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