Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Gideon Moi’s KANU party are at loggerheads following Gideon Moi’s latest move to defend the senatorial seat in the August battle.
Baringo North MP William Cheptumo, who secured UDA ticket to vie for senatorial position has developed cold feet after Gideon Moi announced the interest to defend the seat in forthcoming election.
KANU Secretary General Nick salat hinted that the party had already forwarded Gideon Moi’s name to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in the bid to defend Baringo senatorial seat.
“Our party’s election board forwarded his name. I will not comment about his candidature as that will be the prerogative of the people to decide,” Salat said.
Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was almost sure of clinching the seat after Gideon announced that he would not run but focus on national politics.
Baringo North MP William Cheptumo wrestled other two aspirants by a huge margin at the UDA primaries in April to clinch the party’s ticket.
MP Cheptumo garnered 69,420 votes while his close competitor, Isaiah Kirukmet got 45,681 votes.
Gideon Moi’s abrupt entry into the race plunged Ruto’s UDA back to the drawing board and re-calculate on plans to beat Moi in the race.
This has portrayed a perceived battle between Ruto and Gideon Moi owing to the fact the two had earlier own engaged in supremacy battle over kingpin slot in the region.
Gideon Moi’s KANU signed agreement deals with other parties in Azimio – One Kenya to front Raila Odinga as the presidential candidate in next election.
