Kanu chairman and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi on Thursday continued to zero grace and received important visitors at his ageing father’s residence in Kabarak.
Visitors continued to troop to Kabarak, with the declared occasion being messages of condolence following the death of Jonathan Toroitich, elder brother to Gideon Moi.
Despite the family calling for ‘private’ mourning, visitors and especially ‘selected’ government officials have landed in Kabarak to condole with Mzee Moi
However, most visits to Kabarak have always carried political undertones. On Thursday, it was the turn of Chief Justice David Maraga and Cotu Secretary General, Francis Atwoli and area Governor, Lee Kinyanjui.
Others who came calling were former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka and former assistant minister Peter Kenneth. Mr. Musyoka and Mr. Kenneth both have presidential ambitions, while Mr. Atwoli has made it clear he will do everything within his means to prevent Deputy President William Ruto.
Nakuru Governor, Lee Kinyanjui has been linked with Moi family and he hasn’t done much to deny the alleged family ties. Many Kenyans on social media said he had gone ‘home’.
Kabarak is in Nakuru County, although in a past interview, Gideon Moi appeared to mistakenly think it is in Baringo.
The odd one out in the Kabarak visit is the CJ David Maraga. Mr. Maraga has been very visible in public functions, government, social and political, to the extent of annoying some people.
It is possible that the CJ had no mission beyond conveying his condolences, but not everyone will look at it.
On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta had flown to the home to convey his condolence message to the family. Opposition Leader Raila Odinga is also expected to pay a courtesy visit to Moi and Gideon once he jets back to the country from China. Raila and Gideon are rumoured to be on a working coalition in 2022 in order to counter Ruto in the Rift Valley
However, on Wednesday, Deputy President William Ruto who is seen as a threat to Moi’s dominance in the Rift Valley made a surprise visit to Kabimoi, late Jonathan’s home to convey his message of condolence to wife and children.
Unlike other leaders who went to Kabarak, Mzee Moi’s residence, Ruto instead decided to evade a likely confrontation with his bitter rival Gideon Moi something that was praised as a wise decision by many Kenyans. Ruto is expected to meet face on face with Gideon on Saturday when both will be attending the burial ceremony at Kabimoi.
In all probability, Senator Moi will continue to hold court in Kabarak.