Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has asked his community to support him in his quest for the presidency next year.
The Kanu chairman made the remarks when he hosted thousands of residents at his father’s rural home in Sacho, Baringo Central, on Sunday.
“You trusted me and reelected me for a second term to serve and represent you at the Senate in 2017, then I promised you ‘toko tai’ [it is still ahead]. Now, I humbly beseech you, don’t stab me in the back,” Gideon said.
He attended a service at his late father’s local Tandui AIC Church, where clergy led by Rev Francis Chesire prayed for him and anointed him.
Gideon was also blessed by people from his home, among them the clergy, elders, women and youths, in preparation for the presidential contest.
He requested his people from Baringo to support him in his journey to State House.
“The journey I am beginning isn’t my own, we depend upon God. It will be for the good of all of us -my people of Baringo and the Kenyans at large,” he said, adding that he had many good plans to better the lives of people.
He said his position on national politics will be made during the Kanu delegates meeting scheduled at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, on Thursday.
“For now, I cannot preempt what shall be said by the party delegates at the meeting, but I will respect their decision,” he said.
Baringo has currently been turned into a political battleground, with the majority of residents throwing their support behind the Deputy President William’s quest to succeed Uhuru Kenyatta and not Gideon.
Kanu secretary general Nick Salat said Gideon was a Good Samaritan who would protect the interests of all Kenyans.
He described him as a humble, respectful and honest leader whom Kenyans can entrust their lives and property with, “unlike the other shouting, selfish and disrespectful leaders”.
Salat said Kanu will field a presidential candidate. “We have been assisting others clinch power since 2002. It is time now they should assist us get there because we also have what it takes to lead,” he said.
Salat said Kanu will soon prepare and submit its well-articulated master plan ahead of the next year’s general election.
He was backed by West Pokot Senator Samuel Phogisio, Baringo Woman Representative Gladwel Cheruiyot and former nominated Senator Ziporah Kittony.
Kittony asked the people of Baringo to support Gideon, saying he is the only fitting candidate so far to battle with the rest in national politics.
“I stood with all the former Kenyan leaders, the first President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Moi, and Gideon is now the right person to take over the mantle,” she said.
Cheruiyot urged Baringo residents to stop planning to "castrate their own bull to allow a neighbour’s bull to dominate.
“Among the bulls from across all corners of Kenya, Gideon is one of them and we must support as our own from Baringo,” she said.
