Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has revealed that he has not had any communication with President William Ruto since October of the previous year, coinciding with the height of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment. This indicates a strained relationship between the lawmaker and the president. Nyoro also mentioned that no one from the Kenya Kwanza coalition provided an explanation for his removal as chair of the influential Budget and Appropriations Committee.
During a press briefing on March 18, Nyoro shared that his relationship with Ruto deteriorated in October 2024, amidst Gachagua’s impeachment process. He revealed that their last political conversation took place before October, suggesting that their friendship has suffered.
Nyoro had been notably quiet on Gachagua’s impeachment and was absent when the process began in the National Assembly. Addressing his relationship with the former deputy president, Nyoro stated, “I respect every leader. I may have things I disagree with or reservations about certain decisions, but I don’t think it has been within my role to publicly address them.”
Following Gachagua’s removal, there were attempts to cleanse Parliament of individuals deemed disloyal, with Nyoro seemingly included in that group. He was replaced by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi as the chair of the influential Budget Committee. This change occurred after the public signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, signaling an alliance between the two.
Nyoro expressed frustration at not being informed of the decision to remove him from the Budget Committee. “No one from my coalition approached me to discuss the position, offer feedback, or suggest improvements. I found out about it in the news, just like you did,” Nyoro explained.
He clarified that his disappointment wasn’t due to losing the committee chair position, but rather because he was never notified about the decision. Nyoro felt personally betrayed by the Kenya Kwanza coalition, especially given his significant role in their 2022 General Election campaign.