A Kenya African National Union (Kanu) official in Kiambu county has urged former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi to contest the presidency, saying his candidacy would help demonstrate that the Kikuyu community can support a Kalenjin leader.
John Karanja Sakina, the Kanu secretary in Kiambu county and chairperson of Limuru Sub-county, said Moi's presidential bid would provide an opportunity to challenge perceptions of ethnic divisions in Kenyan politics.
“Why I would want Senator Gideon Moi to stand for presidency is because we want to show the world and Kenya at large that the Kikuyus don’t hate the Kalenjins and that a Kalenjin can vie and be elected by the Kikuyus,” Sakina said during an interview with the Star.
Sakina said his grassroots engagements across Kiambu had given him confidence that Moi could attract significant support from voters in the Mt Kenya region if he decides to enter the 2027 presidential race.
“I have gone around as secretary of the party and I have seen, talked to people and my delegates and are working hard to see that if Gideon Moi stands for president he will definitely carry the day,” he said.
He added that Kanu's grassroots structures were active and the party was working to strengthen its presence ahead of the next General Election.
“We are very active in the grassroots and, in fact, have a small edge over them (emerging parties), except Jubilee, which is doing well especially in Kiambu,” Sakina said.
He, however, acknowledged that Kanu still had work to do to consolidate its support in the county and across the wider Mt Kenya region.
“But I can tell you Kanu is also doing well and we are trying our best,” he added.
Sakina said Moi's campaign should focus on issues affecting Kenyans rather than ethnic mobilisation, identifying healthcare and education as key sectors that should form the centre of his presidential agenda.
“In this respect, Gideon's campaign should focus on betterment of healthcare and education and if he transforms these two aspects the others will come,” he said.
He also cited roads and other infrastructure as areas that would require attention under a Moi presidency.
Moi, who previously served as Baringo Senator and is the son of former President Daniel arap Moi, has been mentioned among politicians who could play a role in shaping the 2027 political contest.
Kanu, a historic political party in Kenya, has been seeking to strengthen its grassroots structures and position itself ahead of the elections.
Sakina's remarks come amid renewed political activity across the country, with parties and politicians positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential and parliamentary contests.
Some who once were President William Ruto’s strongmen in the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have ditched him for new parties, while others have insisted on not dissolving their own parties to join UDA.
