Gideon Moi Apologises to Baringo Residents Over 2025 Senate By-Election Withdrawal

KANU chairman Gideon Moi has apologised to residents of Baringo County for withdrawing from the 2025 Senate by-election, breaking his silence on his political understanding with President William Ruto.

Moi made the remarks on Friday, October 23, 2026, while addressing KANU officials and opinion leaders at his Kabarak home in Nakuru County.

The former Baringo senator expressed grievances against Ruto, suggesting that their political reconciliation had collapsed and raising questions about KANU’s direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Moi withdrew from the Baringo Senate race in October 2025 following meetings with Ruto at State House in Nairobi and his Kabarak residence. The decision cleared the way for the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate to face no major challenger in the November 27 by-election.

However, the apparent political truce between the two leaders later unravelled, with their differences becoming increasingly public in 2026.

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On June 24, Ruto criticised the Standard Group, a media company in which the Moi family has an ownership interest, accusing it of using negative coverage to pressure his administration.

The President subsequently escalated his criticism, making allegations involving unpaid labour and what he described as extortion. The Standard Group rejected the accusations and maintained that the government owed it KSh1.2 billion.

Speaking at Kabarak, Moi reportedly argued that the dispute over the media house’s editorial independence had been used to launch personal attacks against him. He also clarified that his family was not the company’s only shareholder.

The KANU leader further raised concerns over the reported occupation of a five-acre family property in Eldoret. According to the family’s lawyer, armed police officers entered the land, which the family has held title to since 1996, without an eviction notice.

Moi also cited the alleged abduction of a staff member among the grievances that had strained his relationship with the President.

Although he did not declare his next political move, his remarks suggest that he could pursue an independent political path.

With the 2027 elections approaching, attention will focus on whether KANU will form a separate alliance and whether Moi intends to contest an elective seat.

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