Ndindi Nyoro's Presidential Bid Sparks Tension in Mt Kenya Region

Kenyan Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has found himself at the center of a political storm in the Mt Kenya region after announcing his intention to run for president, defying his party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and joining the People's Party of Kenya (PPK). Nyoro, who represents the Kiharu constituency, has been a close ally of President William Ruto in the past, but their relationship began to deteriorate in 2024 during the process of removing Gachagua from office.

Nyoro has denied allegations that he is a government stooge aimed at splitting votes in the Mt Kenya region, saying he has no intention of dividing the region and is willing to support any opposition candidate chosen through consensus. He also dismissed claims that the PPK is a project to help President Ruto split votes in the region, saying the party was formed in 1996, long before the Jubilee and DCP parties.

Nyoro's decision to join the opposition was driven by a desire to transform the country, not at the invitation of any leader. He said he took over the management of the PPK in 2024 and officially joined two months ago to pursue his agenda without relying on the decisions of other leaders. The MP has a strong educational background, with master's degrees in economics from the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University.

Nyoro has also been involved in business and investment, having started learning about the stock market while at Kenyatta University. He began buying Kenya Power shares in 2017 and currently owns 27 million shares worth approximately Sh594 million. He denied claims that he holds the shares on behalf of President Ruto, saying his investments predate his entry into politics.

The MP has defended his record in managing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Kiharu, saying the secret to his success is using local workers instead of large contractors. He said this approach has helped improve all 120 public primary schools in his constituency, with 70 schools having cabro floors. Another 20 schools are expected to benefit by December.

Nyoro identified the national debt as a major challenge facing Kenya's economy, saying that Sh80 out of every Sh100 spent by the government goes towards debt repayment. He warned that the situation could worsen before President Ruto leaves office. Nyoro also criticized what he termed as a biased system in business, where leaders use their power to benefit themselves in various sectors.

Despite his efforts to defend himself against accusations of being a government stooge, Nyoro faces the challenge of convincing the opposition that his presidential bid is aimed at strengthening the opposition, not weakening it. He said his goal is for the opposition to have a single presidential candidate through a fair and transparent agreement, and he is willing to support whoever is chosen if it is not him.

Key points

• Nyoro's presidential bid has sparked tension in the Mt Kenya region.
• Nyoro denies allegations of being a government stooge.
• Nyoro faces the challenge of convincing the opposition of his intentions.