Gideon Moi defends his food donations amid protest letter to IEBC

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi addresses supporters at Sigoro in Eldama Ravine. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi has said he won’t back down on assisting his people.

Speaking during a series of rallies in Mogotio, the Baringo senator questioned a decision by one of the senatorial seat rivals to write to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) seeking to bar his candidature.

He was accompanied by Baringo Deputy Governor Jacob Chepkwony, Mogotio MP seat candidate on a Kanu ticket Prof Hellen Sambili, Baringo Central MP candidate John Boiwo and MCA aspirant for Emining Ward on a Kanu ticket ​Tomno Jonathan.

In the July 8 letter, the Senate seat candidate petitioned IEBC to warn and/ or disqualify Mr Moi over alleged election malpractice.

The letter indicates that Mr Moi has been distributing relief food to Baringo residents.

Mr Moi told Mogotio residents that there was nothing wrong with him assisting people, adding that he won’t back down. He asked why some people were at pains when he assisted locals.

The senator announced that he had already mobilised resources and 3,000 bags of maize to be distributed to hunger-stricken families. First to benefit would be families in areas affected by insecurity.

“Some people have written letters to IEBC to have me barred from contesting so that they can remain in the race. They said I am using government relief food to campaign. They said I have employed youth. Where is the problem when I assist my people, what is wrong when youth get employed? I did not steal from anyone but used my knowledge and connection to assist my people,” Mr Moi said.

He said he would continue to push for employment of youth and assist people in need.

The Kanu chairman said that in the past one year, at least 107 youth had been employed and the county had benefited from road projects worth Sh7.8 billion.

Urging the locals to remain firm in their support, Mr Moi promised to continue pushing for more development projects, including the revival of Radad mega-dam in Mogotio.

The project, he said, would assist the people irrigate their farms. Also to be identified are value addition projects for honey and livestock products.

He urged the locals to listen to other candidates but tell them that their senator would remain. “Listen to them, but tell them your senator remains. Let them not mess up with your investment,” said Mr Moi.