Just a few days after Baringo Senator Gideon Moi was reportedly appointed to lead the popularisation of the BBI drive in the Rift Vally region, the supremacy battle between him and the Deputy President William Ruto seems to have intensified.
Discomfort in deputy president’s camp is said to have started shortly after President Uhuru Kenyatta isolated Ruto together with his brigade from the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) campaigns in the North Rift.
This was after Uhuru picked one of Gideon Moi’s close ally, Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos to lead the popularisation of the drive in the region.
The appointment of Tolgos came after the president met him together with other governors at State House in Mombasa last week.
The surprise move to appoint Mr Tolgos, a deemed opponent of William Ruto and an ally of Kanu supremo Gideon Moi, seems to have rattled Jubilee Party bigwigs in the region.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has already come out to deny any awareness of Mr Tolgos being appointed to spearhead the campaign.
“We are not aware of any other BBI meetings in the Rift Valley. If Tolgos has been appointed to lead another team, then they are welcome to join us or to share with us their programmes,” stated Mr Murkomen recently when contacted by Nation Newspaper.
#GideonMoi ally in the Rift and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos to coordinate Rift Valley BBI consultative meetings. pic.twitter.com/Dr1HzBWQI0
— Kalenjins Online (@Kalenjinsonline) January 21, 2020
And in what could prove to be a tough battle between the two factions to control the rich Rift Valley vote ahead of 2022, their vicious encounters appear to have taken a new dimension after Kenyans, on Tuesday morning took to the Twitter to express their thoughts.
Many users took issues with the son of the second president of Kenya saying he was too soft, lazy and was unable to lead the Rift Valley region unlike William Ruto, who was aggressive and always a performer.
#GideonMoi really? Man is a non-performer, Lazy and depends on his second name "MOI" for survival. He will never be a Kalenjin Kingpin, I have lived with those people for a long time and I know the kind of a leader they want. They will never support someone as weak as him.
— NaiBei™ (@itsNaibei) January 21, 2020
In Kalenjin we don't have two elementary or Simply to bulls in one cow shade at once, we only endorse one at a time! We are Israelites and that's and thats our Business, that Bull now is William Ruto at helm! God bless Kenya #GideonMoi pic.twitter.com/QbQa5XkpFj
— PHAROS KEBENEI KENEI (@KeneiPharos) January 21, 2020
Things in the ground are so different my friend, I wonder how much we Kenyans should be telling you we are tired of dynasties #GideonMoi pic.twitter.com/jcIcu0FWhC
— Oscar (@KeinoOscar) January 21, 2020
We are being told to have #GideonMoi as the next president. Why??
1.Because this country can only be led by two families??
2.Because this country can only be led by two tribes?
3. Because we are in an hereditary kingdom leadership?
4. Because all other kenyans can’t lead??— Someone’s Son (@kibetthedreamer) January 21, 2020
#GideonMoi you remove Moi from the word Gideon and you get a slay king. Let that sink.
— Imwene (@theImwene) January 21, 2020
Pride comes before a fall
Gideon Moi 2022 you will be begging for greetings from a son hailing from a poor family, you're unlucky we know the Kenyans problems are the Dynasties they must fall together with their lame BBI
#GideonMoi#NyakundiSetup pic.twitter.com/7BP5trXXWO— John Kori (@JohnWkori) January 21, 2020
Gideon Moi was elected as senator by the people of Baringo not because of his agenda or track record but because of the respect the electorates had for his father Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi otherwise this man would be invisible in Kenyan politics! #gideonmoi pic.twitter.com/Y8Sh2eV6zV
— EDWIN KIPLIMO ™🇰🇪 (@eddy_kiplimo) January 21, 2020
#GideonMoi is a non performer. Since he joined politics, he only attend funerals to read his dad's message of condolence 😏. He rides on his father's legacy pic.twitter.com/RRgVMfR2on
— Hillary Kipronoh🇰🇪 (@h_kipronoh) January 21, 2020
#GideonMoi is related to retired President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi
I can't support him for presidency, we need to do away with these family dynasties
No Kenyatta, No Odinga, No Moi in 2022— Sirengo Brian Nicolas (@NicolaSirengo) January 21, 2020
Even as many poke holes into Gideon Moi’s leadership, a good number of the users held a different opinion.
According to them, Gideon Moi was a focussed and clean leader who has never been mentioned in any graft case, unlike Deputy President William Ruto.
#GideonMoi
Senator Moi seems the best man to be placed near public funds he hasn't been involved in any corruption cases pic.twitter.com/tvSavuLd9a— Fabian Siayi (@siayifabian) January 21, 2020
When he speaks even his fiercest rivals pause and listen. #GideonMoi is a very sober leader. pic.twitter.com/nQtiWmFRDY
— Eng. Peter Kiptoo (@Hon_Kiptoo) January 21, 2020
#GideonMoi is a Presidential Candidate who has taken time to learn. He knows what it takes to make a good President. He is ready to take over government from UK. pic.twitter.com/q80rV3MZmN
— Thee Trendsetter (@IamNjoroge_) January 21, 2020
Humble, down to earth, eloquent n above all the people's servant…. 2022 we got you.. #GideonMoi pic.twitter.com/GcOEUTURKa
— Kipkoech Ngeno (@Pkoech001) January 21, 2020
The man William Ruto fears like hell. Very humble, good listener and a leader this country need. Economic revolutionist #GideonMoi pic.twitter.com/0NaKN0Lz3P
— sir. langat (@Sirlangat11) January 21, 2020