Inside Ruto's soft landing in Kabarak

The handshake between President William Ruto and the Kenya African National Union (Kanu) Chairman Gideon Moi has left tongues wagging, as the two leaders sealed a new working arrangement.

During his visit to Kabarak Farm, the residence of the late President Daniel Moi, President Ruto expressed his intention to collaborate with the Independence party, Kanu. He announced that Kanu and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) would forge a partnership and work together.

Speaking to a gathering of 5,000 Kanu supporters, Ruto stated that the former ruling party would join the broader government coalition.

The meeting came just a day after Gideon Moi withdrew from the senatorial by-election race.

Gideon had previously expressed his readiness and determination to contest, saying he wanted to be on the ballot to help the people of Baringo. He noted that many of the development projects he had initiated had stalled.

In defending Gideon’s decision to withdraw from the Baringo senatorial race, Ruto revealed he had asked Gideon to step aside and focus on other matters that would promote national development.

Ruto confirmed that he knew what happened leading to Gideon’s withdrawal and was there to give answers. He confirmed that he was the one who initiated the talks and asked Gideon to step down, and asked for forgiveness in the manner the issue was handled.

He said that by pulling together, they can easily take the country to the next level. He noted that he contributed to the growth of the country during the late President Daniel Moi’s time, and there was no problem in having Gideon assist him.

“I am the one who went looking for Gideon, and I pleaded with him, because the destiny of this country is far greater than what I and any other leader can get. Pulling together, we can take this country to the next level,” he said.

He mentioned that they had discussed the importance of Gideon’s role in advancing the country’s progress.

Kanu, he said, had the greatest stake in the future of the country. “You want a successful country, you want us to move from the third world to the first world. That was the motivation of the founding fathers,” he said.

He pleaded with the Kanu party and its supporters to allow him to work with Gideon at the national level. “We must come together, we must think together, we must pull this country out of the third world, and it is possible. That is why I have looked for my brother Gideon to come and help me move this country forward so we can have a progressive nation,” Ruto added.

He stressed that the handshake was not about personalities, but the future of Kenya.

Addressing local concerns, Ruto acknowledged the stalled development projects in Baringo and promised they would be revived and completed. He committed to finishing the Kabarnet Stadium and pledged to build a university in Baringo, noting that the late President Moi had constructed one in Eldoret.

However, there is noticeable anger among some of Gideon’s supporters, who feel betrayed, confused, and demoralised.

One such individual, Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuda, expressed her concerns shortly after Gideon decided to withdraw from the race.

“My only concern, and that of many who have believed in you and the party, is your choice not to provide direction or communicate your decisions promptly,” she said, adding, “We feel unheard and unacknowledged.”

Lesuda noted, “We have had many private conversations, and I have never addressed you publicly, but this matter is of national importance.” She characterised Gideon’s choice not to pursue the Baringo senatorial seat as a personal one.

“Your decision to run or not run for the Baringo senatorial seat is purely yours. You must have deeply considered this despite the many voices you have heard.”

“Who you choose to align with in national politics moving forward is ultimately your personal decision,” she added.

Former Baringo County Woman Representative Gladwell Cheruiyot said the handshake between the President and Gideon is good. She, however, noted that they went through pain before experiencing the joy.

“We went through pain, some people cried. Since the President is here, he will tell us what happened. Your Excellency, I am privileged to be here. To the people of Baringo, while we were mad, the nation was happy. People called, applauding the decision made,” she said.

She appealed to the President to take care of Gideon, whom she described as the light of the Tugen community and someone they rely on.

Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli said they had demonstrated to the world that they are capable of making peace.

Sunkuli noted that the decision Gideon made was bold.

“Whatever you did was a bold thing; the only problem is that as a party we were not notified early,” Sunkuli said.

He said they were sure of winning the senatorial seat. “During the late President Moi, Rift Valley was one, and having it united means conquering other regions,” he said.