Ndindi Nyoro revives nationwide tours days after ouster as Budget chair

Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako with his Kiharu counterpart Ndindi Nyoro/FILE

Days after his removal as chairman of the powerful Budget and Appropriations Committee, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has resumed his nationwide empowerment programmes.

The second-term MP was replaced by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi as part of the dividends of the broad-based government between President William Ruto and ODM boss Raila Odinga.

Nyoro had intensified his tours across the country in 2023 but slowed down in mid-2024 after facing resistance within the Kenya Kwanza government.

Before then, he was widely seen as a potential running mate to President William Ruto in the 2027 presidential contest.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Nyoro focused on his Kiharu constituency, launching development projects funded by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).

His events in Kiharu, near Murang'a town, were notably snubbed by state officials, but residents rallied behind him, urging him to vie for the presidency.

On Friday, he visited Wundanyi Constituency as the chief guest at the launch of the Simawukiwa Nawiri Education empowerment programme initiated by area MP Danson Mwashako.

The Simawukiwa project mirrors Nyoro’s education initiative in Kiharu, which ensures that all secondary school day scholars pay only Sh1,000 per term.

“What we are doing here today is already happening in Kiharu. Once parents pay Sh3,000 per year in school fees, we shall cover the rest from CDF and our friends,” Mwashako said during the event.

Nyoro, known for championing access to education for underprivileged students, has been advocating for more affordable ways to fund secondary education nationwide.

He had also been traversing the country, assisting various MPs in fundraising efforts for school fees.

Some of his countrywide tours could be viewed as laying the groundwork for his political ambitions, amid reports that he plans to launch his own political party ahead of the 2027 general election.

In Kiharu, residents voiced strong support for his leadership.

During the commissioning of a multi-purpose hall at Kahatia Secondary School, Murarandia MCA Peter Munga declared that after serving two terms as MP, Nyoro should seek a higher position.

His remarks were met with loud cheers from parents in attendance.

"Should he run for president or not?" Munga asked, to which the crowd responded in unison, "Asimame!" (Let him run!).

The first-term MCA also urged Kiharu residents to back him for the parliamentary seat if Nyoro formally declares his presidential bid.

In 2023 and mid-2024, Nyoro was making trips across the country every four days, fueling speculation about his political intentions.

An analysis by The Star in early 2024 revealed that since January 10, Nyoro had made 15 trips in just 60 days.

The 39-year-old economist, a Kenyatta University graduate, was among the top contenders for President Ruto’s running mate in 2022 but lost to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.