- The void left due to their absence only begs the question: What really happened after the poll?
- Among these politicians are former Baringo senator Gideon Moi and former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu.
As the dust settled after the heated 2022 general elections, an unsettling silence swept through the political arena.
The once-vibrant and influential figures chose to retreat into silence leaving the public puzzled and hungry for answers.
Their voices, once filled with conviction and promises, now seemed faint whispers in the wilderness.
The void left due to their absence only begs the question: What happened after the poll?
Among these politicians are former Baringo senator Gideon Moi, former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Peter Kenneth, Hassan Joho, Alfred Keter, Chris Wamalwa, Alex Tolgos, Lee Kinyanjui, Paul Chepkwony, Cornel Rasanga and Martin Wambora among others.
Gideon Moi
For Gideon, the son of Kenya's longest-serving president, losing was never an option.
Having steadily risen to become one of the most powerful politicians in the Rift Valley, Moi was confident of being reelected only for the worst to happen.
The loss crushed the hopes and dreams of a once charismatic figure in politics.
In the August 9, 2022 poll, Moi was humiliated by former Baringo North MP William Cheptumo of UDA.
While Cheptumo got 141, 777 votes, Moi who ran on the Independence party KANU ticket managed 71, 408.
Since then, Moi retreated from the public eye, choosing solitude as his sanctuary.
He last appeared in public on August 2 during the funeral of the late Augustine Mwetich Loribo in Tiaty.
While many expected him to combat his losses with resilience, he found solace in introspection.
He delved into self-reflection, seeking to understand his failures and identify his true passions beyond politics.
There are plans he has set his eyes on the 2027 general elections. But, it remains unclear as to what seat he will be vying for.
Charity Ngilu
Her absence may be noticeable, but her silence speaks volumes.
The former Kitui Governor who was a key linchpin in Azimio has kept off the public eye since the last election.
Even though she had been cleared by IEBC to defend her seat, Ngilu opted out of the race and instead threw her weight behind Wiper's Julius Malombe.
Reports indicate she had been promised a ministerial job in Raila Odinga's Azimio government.
She last appeared in public on August 24, when she called on Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at his office in Nairobi.
"It was great catching up with my long-time friend at my office," Mudavadi posted.
The 71-year-old was among the three first female governors to be elected in 2017.
It now remains to be seen if she will throw her hat in the ring in the 2027 general election.
Her political career can be traced back to 1992 when she vied for the Kitui central constituency seat on a Democratic Party ticket which she won.
She was re-elected to the same seat and ran for president in the 1997 general election on a Social Democratic Party of Kenya ticket, finishing fifth behind the eventual winner, Daniel Arap Moi.
Since then her political star has kept shining earning various appointments in governments.
Peter Kenneth
His silence has also been loud.
In the run-up to the poll, he participated actively in the campaigns and at one point emerged as the most preferred candidate to be Raila's running mate.
His development record as Gatanga MP was virtually unmatched.
Unlike many others who have chosen to communicate through their social media pages, Kenneth has just kept off.
He last tweeted on August 8, 2021.
Reports indicate that he went back to business with his political future uncertain.
Hassan Joho
After months of silence, the former governor started making public appearances in April sharing updates on his social handles.
Joho who had joined the Muslim faithful for Eid prayers at Fahari Primary School reiterated his loyalty to the ODM party leader.
"I subscribe fully to the ideology of Raila Odinga, it is only for health reasons that I have been away, even as we speak I'm still recovering. Once I feel better, Raila will be behind me in the demonstrations. I am ODM and ODM is me, I am Raila and Raila is me," he said
The two-term Mombasa Governor also participated actively in the Azimio campaigns and had even been promised the Lands docket in Raila’s government.
He last appeared in October during a meeting in Nairobi which brought together politicians from the Coast region.
In July while appearing for a TV interview, Raila defended him saying he is an active member amidst speculations he was planning to ditch the party.
"Joho has his role in Azimio, but he also works without political party members from abroad. Each leader has his role in Azimio. Joho is in Azimio and we are fine," Raila said.
His future ambitions now remain a secret card.
Chris Wamalwa
The former Kiminini MP vied for the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat but lost it to George Natembeya in the 2022 general election.
Ruto appointed him as the Chief Administrative Secretary for Water and Sanitation.
The court, however, ruled the appointments illegal.
Alex Tolgos
He vied unsuccessfully for the senatorial seat but lost it to Kipchumba Murkomen, who would later resign to take up the ministerial job.
Tolgos was among those who had been picked to spearhead Azimio campaigns in the Rift Valley in the run-up to the August 9, 2022, general election.
During the by-election, he opted not to vie for the seat.
“I will not be in the race this time but I wish everyone well," Tolgos said as he claimed that he had been approached by his supporters to vie again.