GEDION MOI JOINS BROAD-BASED

Following his sudden withdrawal from the Baringo senatorial race, former Baringo Senator and KANU party leader Gideon Moi has gravitated towards the broad-based government led by President William Ruto and Raila Odinga — a move sparked by a surprise handshake that has stirred Kenya’s political landscape.

Speaking on Friday, October 10, during a visit to Kabarak in Nakuru County, Ruto explained that reaching out to Moi was driven by a desire to build on the country’s historical political foundations and to address key national challenges such as healthcare.

“I am sharing this because I want to take you back to the origins of KANU and the foundation that was laid. We also agreed that we need to address the challenges in the health sector. You know what former President Moi did with the Nyayo wards in hospitals, and you know what President Mwai Kibaki tried with universal health coverage, but we did not succeed. We also attempted universal health coverage under Jubilee and did not succeed. Today, because we wanted to build on this legacy, we rolled out universal health coverage,” Ruto stated.

The president painted his gesture to Gideon Moi as part of a broader plan to bring together leaders from across the political divide under a broad-based government aimed at steering Kenya towards inclusive growth and national cohesion.

“It is the same approach we are applying to our economy. This is why I reached out to my brother Gideon Moi. Kenya should not remain a third-world country, and we can transform this nation in our lifetime. We have made progress in health, agriculture, and other sectors, but even with these achievements, it is not enough. We must lift this country to the next level,” he said.

Ruto added that he had engaged other national figures, including Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in similar talks meant to foster unity and shared responsibility within the government.

“I have had conversations with many leaders, including Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, urging them that it is important to move this country forward. I also spoke to Gideon and asked him to join me in uniting the country and advancing it to the next step. If there are any criticisms about this, the responsibility lies with me, because I was the one who called him,” he added.

The president emphasized that his handshake with Moi was not motivated by political gain but by the need to place Kenya’s destiny above individual ambitions.

“I have looked for my brother Gideon and told him it is time for us to move Kenya to the next level,” Ruto said, underscoring the importance of collective leadership.

“For us to move this country forward, we need to pull together, we need to work together, and that is why I looked for my brother Gideon and told him we need to pull together, we need to work together,” he added.

Ruto also opted to take personal responsibility for any past misunderstandings between them - considering their cold relationship in the past.

“Kama kuna makosa imetokea mahali, blame it on me, mimi ndiye mwenye hii maneno yote, mimi ndiye nimetafutana na Gideon nikamwambia Gideon tafadhali, tufanye kazi pamoja,” he said.

The president concluded by calling on all leaders to look beyond personal interests and focus on the country’s greater purpose.

“This is because the destiny of Kenya is far greater than what I can get, what Gideon can get or what the next leader can get,” he said.

The State House meeting between President Ruto and Moi on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, became the melting pot that paved the way for the unprecedented UDA–KANU merger.

“KANU has been in the opposition for too long, and it is time we worked with the government,” KANU Secretary-General George Wainaina welcomed the development.

Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli also hailed Moi’s move, describing it as a “bold and patriotic decision” that demonstrates a willingness to put Kenya’s progress above politics.

As the country digests the symbolic handshake between Ruto and Moi, political observers say the alliance cements Gideon Moi’s place in government and even increases his chances of landing a senior role. Moi, who had been on a three-year political hiatus, has resurfaced into political relevance through a single gesture.