Kacheliba Member of Parliament Titus Lotee has come out in strong defense of President William Ruto’s involvement in the recent Baringo senatorial by-election, stating that the president’s intervention to secure KANU chairman Gideon Moi’s withdrawal was a deliberate effort to protect Moi from political humiliation and preserve unity within the ruling coalition.
Speaking during a TV interview on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Lotee explained that President Ruto acted in the broader interest of political harmony, noting that Moi’s participation in the race could have led to a “humiliating defeat” by a youthful United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate.
“The president saw that if Gideon Moi went to the polls in Baringo, he was going to be trounced by a young UDA candidate,” Lotee said. “He acted to ensure the son of a former president was not humiliated.”
The MP added that the move demonstrated Ruto’s inclusive and strategic leadership style, aimed at maintaining stability among coalition partners and avoiding unnecessary friction within the political landscape.
“The president’s decision was not about favoritism; it was about preserving dignity and political cohesion. This is the kind of leadership that balances strategic interests with respect for political allies,” Lotee noted.
Promoting Coalition Stability
Lotee further argued that preventing internal rivalries from escalating into open political conflicts is essential as the country approaches upcoming local and national elections. He highlighted that the president’s involvement in the by-election aligned with his broader agenda of sustaining unity across allied parties and reinforcing the coalition’s foundation.
He also pointed out that recent national events, including the passing of a former prime minister, had created a delicate political moment that required the president’s active engagement to stabilise and realign political partnerships.
“We elect a president to work for Kenyans, but we also elect a president who can engage and maintain harmony among partners. That is what we are seeing in Baringo,” Lotee said.
Moi’s Withdrawal and Political Context
KANU leader Gideon Moi officially withdrew from the Baringo senatorial by-election a day before he was scheduled to submit his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for the November 27 vote.
Moi had been preparing to face UDA candidate Kiprono Chemitei, but his decision to pull out followed a meeting at State House, Nairobi, attended by President Ruto and senior KANU officials.
President Ruto later described Moi’s withdrawal as a “respectful and strategic” move that reflected maturity and political foresight.
