NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya African National Union (KANU) national chairman Gideon Moi has declared his candidacy in the upcoming Baringo Senatorial by-election, setting the stage for a fierce political duel that revives his rivalry with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
KANU confirmed Moi’s entry into the race in a statement on Thursday, saying the decision followed “extensive consultations, deliberations, and consensus within the party and with the people of Baringo.”
Our Party Chairman Hon. Gideon Moi joins the race for Baringo Senatorial By-elections. Best wishes as he embarks on this journey.
Accepting the endorsement, Moi expressed gratitude to party members and residents of Baringo for what he described as their patience and confidence, promising to run a people-focused campaign centered on inclusivity, accountability, and service.
“I remain committed to a campaign that speaks to the needs of all and works towards building a united and prosperous Baringo,” Moi said.
The Baringo seat fell vacant in February following the death of UDA’s William Cheptumo, who defeated Moi in the 2022 general election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has scheduled the by-election for November 27, alongside other pending contests across the country.
Moi’s re-entry into the race sets up a major political battle with UDA’s Kiprono Cheburet, who won the party’s nominations two weeks ago after trouncing eight rivals with 48,791 votes.
His closest challenger, Tobole Kipsang, secured 30,897 votes, while Daniel Kiptoo Korir managed 23,613.
The contest is expected to test not only Moi’s political resilience but also the strength of KANU, Kenya’s oldest political party, in a region that overwhelmingly backed Ruto in 2022.
During that election, Ruto had vowed to “teach Moi a political lesson” — a promise he delivered on by spearheading a UDA sweep across the Rift Valley that saw Moi and his brother, former Rongai MP Raymond Moi, both lose their seats.
KANU described Moi’s nomination as a reaffirmation of its commitment to offering “experienced, visionary, and people-centered leadership” at a defining moment for Baringo and the country.
The party called on its supporters to rally behind its chairman, expressing confidence that his deep ties with the county will resonate with voters.
For Moi, however, the stakes go beyond reclaiming a Senate seat. The by-election represents an attempt to revive his political career and salvage the once-dominant Moi family legacy in Rift Valley politics — a legacy that has waned since Ruto’s ascent to the presidency.
With KANU and UDA squaring off once again, Baringo is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched battlegrounds of the November mini-polls.
