President William Ruto has broken his silence regarding his relationship with Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro, just days after the lawmaker was ousted from his position as chair of the powerful Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly. William Ruto addressed why Ndindi Nyoro was removed from Budget Committee. Speaking to local media on Monday, March 31, during an interview ahead of his much-anticipated tour of the Mt. Kenya region, Ruto heaped praise on Nyoro, describing him as an exceptionally talented and promising young leader.
Ruto revealed that he is closely mentoring Nyoro and other young leaders politically. “Ndindi Nyoro is a fine gentleman. Huyo kijana mimi ndio ninamkuza kisiasa” (I am the one mentoring him in politics). While addressing speculation that Nyoro’s recent troubles could have been a as a result of differing political stands, Ruto reiterated his unwavering support for the youthful MP, urging Kenyans to trust his mentorship process. “Leave Ndindi Nyoro to me. He is among the young MPs I am currently nurturing. There are certain things I would rather not disclose here, but rest assured, I have a plan for him,” the president said. The head of state acknowledged that young leaders sometimes make mistakes but emphasised that it is his responsibility to guide them. “These young leaders I am mentoring are bound to make errors here and there, but as a leader, it is my duty to steer them in the right direction. That is why I repeat, leave them to me,” he said.
Why was Ndindi Nyoro’s removed from Budget committee? On the matter of his removal from the leadership of the Budget Committee, the president dismissed claims that Nyoro was sidelined, instead clarifying that it was part of a routine parliamentary restructuring exercise. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has been President William Ruto’s long-time political ally. Photo: Ndindi Nyoro. Source: Facebook He explained that Parliament had reached its mid-term mark, necessitating changes in committee leadership in accordance with the law. “As you are all aware, parliamentary committees undergo periodic reorganisation, and this was one such instance. The law dictates that at mid-term, leadership positions in committees must be subjected to a fresh election. To be re-elected, an individual must express interest in retaining their position. I am not sure whether any of you know whether Ndindi Nyoro presented himself for re-election as chair of the Budget Committee,” Ruto said. Ruto further delved into the broader realignment within parliamentary committees, explaining that when his administration expanded government to accommodate Raila Odinga and his allies, there was a need for equitable regional representation.
“Out of the 25 parliamentary committees, Mt. Kenya MPs chaired 12, while Rift Valley legislators led 9. After consultations, it was agreed in the spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion, that both Mt. Kenya and Rift Valley MPs would relinquish three chair positions each to allow for a fairer distribution of leadership roles across the country,” Ruto added. However, he stopped short of revealing the finer details of how specific lawmakers were selected for removal, urging those with concerns to direct their questions to Parliament. “How the decision was made on who would step aside and who would remain in those positions is best explained by the members of Parliament themselves,” he said.
Ndindi Nyoro launches development projects ahead of Ruto’s visit This comes as the Kiharu lawmaker commissioned the newly tarmacked Kandundu Road and launched classroom construction at Kenneth Matiba Comprehensive School ahead of Ruto’s Mt. Kenya tour. In what appeared to be a jab at Ruto, he emphasised action over rhetoric, urging elected leaders to prioritise service delivery. Nyoro called for mutual respect among politicians, warning against mistaking his silence for weakness. He stressed that lasting impact comes from development, not political disputes.
by Harry Ivan Mboto
