President William Ruto has shed light on his recent handshake with former Baringo Senator and KANU leader Gideon Moi, describing it as a deliberate step toward fostering unity and driving Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.
The handshake followed a State House meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, attended by leaders from Baringo County. Photos and footage released a day later showed Ruto and Moi sharing a cordial moment, signaling a thaw in their historically strained relationship.
The timing of the encounter surprised many, as thousands of KANU supporters had gathered earlier that day at Kabarnet Airstrip, expecting Moi to present his nomination papers for the upcoming Baringo senatorial by-election—a move he ultimately shelved.
Speaking on Friday, October 10, 2025, President Ruto clarified that the meeting was part of a broader initiative to unify Kenya’s leadership and advance national development, particularly in the health sector.
Ruto invoked Kenya’s political legacy, referencing the foundations laid by former Presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki, and the country’s ongoing struggle to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).
“We wanted to build on this legacy and address challenges in health. We attempted UHC under Jubilee, but we did not succeed. Today, we have rolled out universal health coverage because we must transform this nation in our lifetime,” Ruto said.
The president emphasized that reaching out to Gideon Moi was a personal decision, rooted in his belief that Kenya must move beyond divisive politics to realize its full potential.
“If there are any criticisms about this, the responsibility lies with me,” he added. “Kenya should not remain a third-world country—we can transform it through collaborative leadership.”
The handshake came shortly after Gideon Moi withdrew his candidacy to succeed the late Senator William Cheptumo, despite having launched a campaign and donated KSh2.5 million to local political activities.
The renewed alliance between Ruto and Moi marks a significant shift in Rift Valley politics, where the two leaders have long been rivals. Their relationship had previously been marred by political tensions, including incidents where Moi allegedly blocked Ruto from visiting his late father, former President Daniel arap Moi.
Ruto concluded by reaffirming his commitment to working with leaders across the political spectrum—including Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta—to build a united, prosperous Kenya.
