UDA’s Paul Chebor Trounces Raymond Moi in Rongai MP Race
Raymond Kipruto Moi, son of the late President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, lost the Rongai Parliamentary seat to United Democratic (UDA) candidate Paul Chebor.
Raymond, who was defending his seat on a KANU ticket, garnered 14,725 against Chebor’s 27,021 votes. Luka Kigen of Chama Cha Mashinani-CCM got 593 votes.
The constituency, which has 84 625 registered voters, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission – IEBC, witnessed turnout of less than 70 per cent.
Raymond’s defeat marks the end of Moi’s family dominance in elective politics in the Rift Valley region. This is after his younger brother Gideon Moi was defeated by William Cheptumo in Baringo in the senate race.
During the voting exercise on Monday, August 29, Raymond raised concerns over alleged intimidation and voter bribery, among other allegations in the Rongai constituency.
“I blame IEBC, why do the elected leaders, MPs, Senators and Governor having access to the polling stations, why do they have the commission badges,” he wondered.
Despite his concerns, Raymond failed to overcome the UDA wave in the Rift Valley region. His opponent was supported by his father’s allies now turned into political enemies.
Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua and Lee Njiru, Moi’s longest-serving press secretary, all pledged their allegiance to Chebor.
While receiving the certificate, Chebor pledged to unite the Rongai region.
“I thank the people of Rongai for believing in me. I promise to deliver and I will not let them down. I promise to work with all the residents irrespective of whether they voted for me or not,” Chebor stated.
