Sen Sigei: Ruto’s détente with Gideon was to repay his late father’s kindness
By Cynthia Lodite, October 13, 2025Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei has revealed the reasons behind the recent handshake between President William Ruto and the late President Daniel Moi’s son, who is the former Baringo County Senator Gideon Moi.
According to the legislator, the recent meet-up, which has sparked controversy, was a simple thank-you gesture from Ruto to the late Daniel Moi for giving him a platform when he was head of state.
Also Watch: Handshake coming? Ruto hosts Gideon Moi at Statehouse
The Bomet Senator made his remarks on Monday, October 13, 2025, during an interview with a local media house, where he revealed how Ruto was extending the past kind gestures to Gideon Moi.
“Ruto was given a platform by former President Moi to become a leader and has now come together with Gideon Moi to take Kenya to the next level,” Sigei said.
Gideon Moi’s handshake with Ruto
Speaking about the handshake on Friday, October 10, 2025, Ruto explained that his engagement with Gideon was motivated by the need to build on historical foundations laid by KANU and to tackle ongoing challenges, particularly in the health sector.
Also Watch: Gachagua fires at Ruto over Gideon Moi pact, calls it a plot against Mt. Kenya
He highlighted past efforts under former President Moi and President Mwai Kibaki, noting that attempts at universal health coverage under Jubilee had not succeeded.
“I am sharing this because I want to take you back to the origins of KANU and the foundation that was laid. We also agreed that we need to address the challenges in the health sector. You know what former President Moi did with the Nyayo wards in hospitals, and you know what President Mwai Kibaki tried with universal health coverage, but we did not succeed. We also attempted universal health coverage under Jubilee and did not succeed. Today, because we wanted to build on this legacy, we rolled out universal health coverage,” Ruto stated.
Ruto said he sought out Gideon Moi because he believes Kenya should not remain a third-world country and that collaborative leadership is essential to achieving transformative change.
The president emphasised that the decision to bring Gideon on board was his own and that he takes full responsibility for any criticisms arising from the collaboration.
“It is the same approach we are applying to our economy. This is why I reached out to my brother Gideon Moi. Kenya should not remain a third-world country, and we can transform this nation in our lifetime. We have made progress in health, agriculture, and other sectors, but even with these achievements, it is not enough. We must lift this country to the next level,” the president said.
“I have had conversations with many leaders, including Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, urging them that it is important to move this country forward. I also spoke to Gideon and asked him to join me in uniting the country and advancing it to the next step. If there are any criticisms about this, the responsibility lies with me, because I was the one who called him,” the president added.