NAIROBI, Kenya — Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has spoken out for the first time since his unexpected removal as the chairperson of the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, a position he held for two years.
At a press conference on Tuesday, March 18, Nyoro struck a measured yet pointed tone, expressing perplexity over his ouster while simultaneously downplaying any conflict with the Kenya Kwanza leadership.
“I do not know why I was replaced,” Nyoro said. “I have never received any complaint or concern from the leadership, including the President, about my performance in the committee.”
Yet, he acknowledged that he had been left in the dark about the decision, claiming that he learned of his removal from the media just like everyone else.
Nyoro’s removal has fueled speculation of a growing rift between him and President William Ruto.
Once a close ally of the Head of State, Nyoro has been notably absent from recent high-profile political maneuvers, including the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—a move that saw many of Ruto’s allies mobilize in support of the ouster.
His silence during that period has been interpreted as a sign of shifting political alliances, and his replacement by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, an ODM legislator, raises questions about the power dynamics within Kenya Kwanza.
Despite the shake-up, Nyoro chose to focus on his legacy at the Budget Committee, emphasizing that his time at the helm inspired him to further his education.
Nyoro revealed that he is currently pursuing two master’s degrees—one in Economics at the University of Nairobi and another in Public Policy at Kenyatta University.
“Serving as the Budget Committee chair made me realize the depth of our country’s economic challenges. I wanted to deepen my understanding, so I went back to school,” he explained, adding that he has already completed coursework and expects to graduate this year.
His academic pursuit, he says, was driven by a desire to grasp macroeconomic issues more thoroughly, including how inflation, interest rates, and government policy interact to shape the country’s economic trajectory.
Despite the abrupt end to his tenure, Nyoro expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, thanking his colleagues and the people of Kiharu for their support.
“I am grateful for the experience and the learning it provided. I also wish my successor, Hon. Samuel Atandi, all the best as he takes over the committee’s leadership,” he stated.
However, his measured response does little to dispel the perception that his removal is part of a broader realignment within the ruling coalition.
