President William Ruto has arrived at the Kabarak home of Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, where more than 3,000 party supporters have gathered in what appears to be a major political realignment.
The meeting comes a day after Moi withdrew from the Baringo Senate race, ending weeks of speculation about his political future.
During the event, Moi is expected to address his supporters and explain the reasons behind his withdrawal. On Thursday, he failed to appear before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in Kabarnet to present his nomination papers, prompting confusion among his followers who had assembled to receive him.
His withdrawal has cleared the path for United Democratic Alliance candidate Kiprono Chemitei, who has since been cleared by the electoral body. Sources close to the matter say Moi’s decision followed a private meeting with President Ruto at State House, where the two are believed to have discussed a possible working arrangement between Kanu and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Several senior UDA politicians, including Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, arrived at the Kabarak residence earlier in the day ahead of the President’s visit. Moi is said to have held a closed-door meeting with Kanu delegates before the public speeches began.
Reports suggest that Kanu has agreed in principle to cooperate with the ruling coalition ahead of the 2027 general election, though it remains unclear whether Moi will be offered a formal position in government.
The visit marks the first time President Ruto has set foot at the Moi family home in years. In 2019, while serving as Deputy President, he was reportedly blocked from meeting the late former President Daniel arap Moi, a move that deepened tensions between the two political dynasties.
