Kanu has big 2022 plan, says Gideon Moi

Senator Gideon Moi (centre) with a delegation from Baringo Central at his Kabarak home yesterday. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has hinted of plans to enter the 2022 presidential race.

It is the first time the Kanu national chairman is giving his strongest indication that he would be in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta after his term expires in 2022.

Speaking at his Kabarak home when he received a delegation of 200 people from Baringo Central, which he and his father the late President Daniel arap Moi represented, Gideon said plans to revamp Kanu were at an advanced stage.

“As Kanu we have been in the Opposition for long and our plan is to be in government come 2022. As things stand now we are in a good position to form the next government,” Gideon said.

He added: “This journey requires proper political calculations and not emotions.”

Gideon has been receiving delegations at the home as the family goes through 40 days of mourning after the burial of Mzee Moi.

It is within this period that Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat intimated that the independence party would meet selected officials and members in a bid to revamp the political outfit.

During Moi’s burial, Salat declared that Kanu was strong despite the death of Moi, who vied for Member of Parliament and President on a Kanu ticket.

Moi died on February 4 and his family, in keeping with Kalenjin traditions, have been in a mourning period since he was buried on February 12.

Yesterday, the more than 200 delegates arrived at the home just a day after another group of leaders from Siaya led by Governor Cornel Rasanga visited.

The Baringo delegates were received by Gideon and Tiaty MP William Kamket.

Mr Kamket, a Kanu legislator, revealed that the party will form a coalition with like-minded political parties as the country heads towards 2022 election. Kamket said his party chairman was a sure bet and that he had no doubt that Kanu will be part of the next government.

“This time around there is no looking back, we will stand firm behind Gideon and ensure that Kanu is in government,” he said.

He said the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that is backed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and former premier Raila Odinga is the road map towards achieving a suitable coalition for 2022.

The delegation from Baringo paid tribute to the late Moi, saying he did a lot to transform the lives of people in the county during his reign.

Emulate father

They urged Gideon to emulate his father, saying the senator was a man of the people who they will support should he decide to go for the top political seat in the country.

“We have not been in government and Gideon offers us an opportunity to be back. Moi was like an institution, he said we will remember him and indeed we are,” said Judy Kabon.

Kabon said it was unfortunate that those who benefited from Moi are the ones who are ungrateful. Eddy Koimet, former Kanu Baringo Central MP aspirant, said they lost a man who cared, held their hands and guided them.