Raymond passes the late Moi's leadership baton to Gideon

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi is handed over a leadership stick by Kanu elders as a sign of continuity of Kanu leadership. [Peter Ochieng/Standard]

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi was yesterday handed a replica of his father’s rungu by his elder brother, signifying a transition of political leadership.

The symbolic rungu had been given to Rongai MP Raymond Moi by elders.

As former President Daniel arap Moi’s burial ceremony drew to a close at Kabarak High School, Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat invited Michael Korir, whom he described as a clans mate, to make an announcement.

Mr Korir made a brief speech, saying that on behalf of the larger Moi family, they wanted to ensure that there would not be a leadership vacuum.

“The family agreed that as Mzee Moi departs, there must be someone to look after the homestead. And since a lion gives birth to lions, we have to ensure the first born traditionally takes over,” said Korir.

The spokesman, who was accompanied by a group of elders, then handed over a bag with the rungu to Raymond who, in turn, passed it on to his younger brother.

“I am the eldest at the moment but politically I would like to pass this to Gideon. I will challenge him to scale the heights. You must hold Kanu together.”

Leadership mantle

Raymond also declared his support for the Building Bridges Initiative that is being driven by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

He warned Gideon that he would be ready to take over the leadership mantle if the senator dropped the ‘baton’.

Gideon, who is the last born in the family, accepted the rungu and promised to live up to the weighty expectations.

“Nitajaribu, nitajaribu na nitaweka Mungu mbele. Mengi tutasema baadaye (I will try, I will try. I will put God first. We will talk more later).”

Moi had seven children, namely Jennifer, Jonathan, Raymond, twins Philip and Doris, John Mark and Gideon. In the absence of Jonathan who died in April last year, Raymond assumed the role of leader.

Moi had an illustrious political life and he mentored his sons to aspire for political office. Inspired by their father’s journey, Jonathan, Raymond and Gideon have at one time or the other been in politics.

Jonathan, a Safari Rally driver, was the first to show interest in politics. He vied for the Eldama Ravine constituency seat in 2002 but lost.

In the same year, Raymond and Gideon both ran for the Rongai and Baringo Central constituency seats, respectively.

Gideon was elected but Raymond lost. It was not until 2013 when he clinched the seat.

He would be re-elected in 2017 to represent the constituency that is home to Kabarak where his father was laid to rest yesterday.

Prior to the handing over of the rungu, a number of leaders had asked Gideon to step into his father’s shoes and help to rebuild the former ruling party.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli urged Gideon to “stand up and be counted”, a sentiment that was echoed by Tiaty MP William Kamket, among other dignitaries.