The supremacy battle between Deputy President Wiliam Ruto and Baringo South Senator Gideon Moi is set to take centre stage in the upcoming Baringo South constituency by-election.
Baringo South lost its MP Grace Kipchoim on April 20 after she succumbed to a long cancer illness at Nairobi Hospital; and now interested candidates are wielding their weapons ahead of the by-election.
Although the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is yet to set the official date for the mini-poll, the exercise is expected to witness preliminary political stabs for the control of Rift Valley politics between DP Ruto and Senator Moi as 2022 contest beckons.
Already, a number of individuals who unsuccessfully vied against late Kipchoim have floated their bid. Gideon Moi lead KANU has Charles Kamuren in the mix. Mr Kamuren came second after Ms Kipchoim in last year’s poll.
Amos Lempaka is set to make a second trial at the seat on a possible Jubilee ticket after switching tabs from Raila Odinga led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
In the August 8, 2017 poll, Ms Kipchoim, a widow, beat her rivals pants down without conducting even a single campaign rally since she was on treatment during the electioneering season. She had garnered 9299 votes against Charles Kamuren, Amos Olempaka, Cynthia Kiplchilat and Bundotich Cheboiyow.
During her burial, DP Ruto told residents that he would be their acting MP before Kipchoim’s replacement through the ballot is done. To Jubilee Party, this is an opportunity to galvanize its resources to maintain a strong supermajority status in parliament.
Other keen parties with the Baringo South contest have a different script, however.
Mr. Lempaka said the supremacy battle between the DP and the KANU party leader would not be manifested in the upcoming poll. He said the matter “is not something that will be decided now.”According to Mr Lempaka; “The Kalenjin community are still waiting to see who has the support of Uhuru and Raila Odinga.”