Gideon Moi reaches out to the youth in battle for State House
By Francis Mureithi
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has taken a new approach in his strategy to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.
Gideon is now reaching out to youthful voters in what is seen as his grand strategy to counter Deputy President William Ruto forays in voter rich Rift Valley region and beyond.
The Baringo senator has formed a Kanu Management Council comprising youthful leaders such as Cornelius Kipchumba and Mary Anne Njambi who vied for Molo parliamentary seat in 2017.
Other key personalities in the council headed by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio include Ms Elizabeth Kimkung who is the chairperson of Kanu Women Congress.
The senator's strategy comes at a time when youths allied to Deputy President William Ruto have intensified campaigns at the grassroots.
The DP is making inroads in Nyanza and Mt Kenya regions ahead of the 2022 elections.
Succession politics
While Dr Ruto has been meeting delegations of elders at his Karen and Sugoi homes, Gideon is also not taking any chances and has started meeting delegations from across the country at his father's Kabarak home in Nakuru.
The latest delegation comprised youths from Kajiado County led by Senator Philip Mpaayei.
"The writing is on the wall for all to see and if you have eyes, you don't need to be told to see," said Senator Mpaayei while commenting on succession politics.
According to insiders who attended the Sunday meeting, the youthful delegation from Kajiado vowed to back Gideon's candidature in 2022.
The sources in Gideon's camp said the new strategy of meeting the youth is set to intensify as more youthful delegations are set to visit Kabarak.
The sources told the Nation that the Gideon camp is working on an elaborate campaign strategy as they are worried that Dr Ruto is enjoying a massive following of the youth ahead of the 2022 elections.
One of DP Ruto's youthful strategist in Rongai, Nakuru County, Joseph Kibusia dismissed Gideon's new move as "too little, too late"
Interested in handouts
"Whether Gideon is endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta or not, DP Ruto is ahead of the pack. Gideon moves are not enough and not soon enough to make a difference as DP's well-oiled youth machinery at the grassroots is up and running," said Mr Kibusia.
However, a youthful Kanu operative in Nakuru Town, Kimani Wa Kimani, said youth supporting Dr Ruto are only interested in handouts.
"Youth supporting Dr Ruto candidature are interested in handouts. However, for us pushing Gideon 2022 candidature, we want him to help the youth start income-generating projects such as poultry and livestock keeping and initiate water projects," said Mr Kimani who is the party's organising secretary in Nakuru County.
Mr Kimani said in every sub-county in Nakuru County they have formed Friends of Gideon Moi support group to ensure Gideon succeeds resident Kenyatta in 2022.
Former East African Community Minister Musa Sirma said Gideon is building consensus with the youth and all like-minded leaders.
"Those who are supporting DP know what they have benefited from him but some of us want a leader who will guarantee the future for our children and Gideon is the missing link and that is why I support his move to meet youthful delegations," said Mr Sirma who is a former Eldama Ravine MP.
This article was originally published by Daily Nation. [Photo: NMG]