Ndindi Nyoro speaks of fallout with Ruto, and why he's considered a mole

In a sit-down with political writer Josphat Thiong’o, Kiharu MP and People’s Party of Kenya leader Ndindi Nyoro speaks on his place within the opposition, addresses his fallout with President William  Ruto, combats claims of being a mole, and gives insights on his political future amid a newfound partnership with Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i.

Do you think of yourself as a rabble-rouser?

 No, not at all. My politics have always been very conservative, especially when it comes to issues. But I'm also very forceful. When courage is needed, it is always there. I am always a kind of leader who wants to do things more than say them, and that is why you see in Kiharu: we speak very little but there is so much work to be seen.

But to those in government, you are viewed as a critic who incites the masses against government projects such as the Lamu refinery project and Kenya Pipeline IPO

I am just a leader doing his duty and as I said, I am not one to make claims that I cannot verify. Those concerned know what happened, for instance, with the IPO. We are also still waiting on the Head of State to give the public the Lamu refinery project agreement.

At the height of the 2022 campaigns and onset of the current administration, you maintained a close relationship with President Ruto. What changed?

He didn’t just fall out with me; it was with the entire country. Ruto is very good at acting, so we took him for the character that he impersonated. The entire country was duped into believing that he meant what he said, in terms of changing this country, but unfortunately it took very little time for people to see the real person. Unfortunately for William Ruto, when you are seated with him, he always has seven cards at the table, and only reveals two. You might think he is your friend but behind your back, he is conniving. Other leaders who have politically suffered yet campaigned for his election include former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, former CS Mithika Linturi and Nyali MP Mohammed Ali.

So what occasioned the fallout with Ruto?

We were okay up until October 2024 during the impeachment of the now former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. During the ouster process, I went to Ruto personally and told him I would not be participating. Instead, he told me to mobilize other leaders from Murang’a County to support him in getting rid of Gachagua. I saw that as conmanship, because I can't tell a person to do the thing I am not doing. His people were then forced to turn to Governor Irungu Kangata for help with a promise of him getting the DP seat after Gachagua's exit. I don’t think Kangata was successful. So, from then on, things turned sour and, in a few months, Ruto and I were out, and we were done with each other.

Be that as it may, would you jump at the opportunity to work with Ruto ahead of 2027?

Let me put it this way: you cannot support William Ruto and love your country called Kenya at the same time. You have to either choose to be patriotic or love the money. All the leaders you see him with, it's because he has intoxicated them. Either with money or power, to the extent that the same leaders now can't make sober decisions.

There, however, exist allegations that the same person you claim you cannot work with is your business partner in multiple ventures. How true is this?

You know, some people take Kenyans for granted too much. Like, I had one person claiming I have Kenya Power shares that I'm holding them for somebody. Shares that I bought even before I got elected. I have been in the shares business since I was a first year in campus. That's when I started working for a stock brokerage company. And what people may realize is that when they see my investment now, they don't know for how long I have been at it. They think I am an overnight success. I spent Sh40 million over time to buy all my shares. But as of now, I actually have less shares of Kenya Power compared to when I was elected. I am however, not complaining; I expect people to do their best to punish you but I am glad that the people of Kenya can see through the propaganda.

Moving on to 2027 politics, do you feel accepted within the opposition?

Yes, I do feel very much at home. I'm feeling very relieved that I made this decision. We are working very closely with the Jubilee Party and its leader, Matiangi. We have also been in talks with Kalonzo. And as you know, the Linda Leader Mwanachi brigade members are my colleagues in Parliament. We are also very good friends with several leaders within DCP. Privately, I don't know why privately, some of them tell me that they were told to fight me but they refused.

Leaders from the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) have however, criticized your party as a “red wheelbarrow” sponsored by President Ruto to split Mt Kenya votes...

I actually don't blame them for pulling us down or trying to pull us down. They are in politics. When we engage privately, our colleagues from DCP tell me the same. All that I would want them to know is that we are one team. They should know that Kenya only has two enemies. The first one is Ruto and his poor policies and the second is the challenges that Kenyans are going through. It is important that we don't become people who expend so much energy on friendly fire; we should focus on what should unite us, not the things that the enemy would want us to be divided on.

And how do you plan to shake off the tag of being a political mole?

I am not planning on shaking off anything. I am just focusing on doing my job. If I focus on what my competitors are saying, I will be drawn into their own mess. I am focused on going around the country, campaigning for the opposition, setting the opposition agenda, and uniting the other opposition leaders like Fred Matiangi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Edwin Sifuna, and even Rigathi Gachagua, if he wants. We will keep doing our best to unite and work with everyone.

Critics however question why they haven’t seen you in any opposition rallies...

They have never held any joint rallies since I joined the People's Party. So, let's also not blame them for no reason...expect to see them in my meetings.

Is your newfound pact with Matiang’I meant to contain Gachagua’s influence in the Mt Kenya region?

I have held meetings with Matiang’i several times, and they are always open to everyone. If Kalonzo Musyoka is interested, then we make one happen. We are working together just the same way we are ready to work together with everyone in the opposition. It must not be construed that we are creating our own splinter group. We are fully committed to opposition unity.

Do you plan on going all the way to the ballot with Matiang’i and creating what could potentially be a third force?

We in the opposition are all gearing up to have one presidential flagbearer. But if they decide it is us or me, then I am ready. Our only option is to unite so that we can win the 2027 elections in the first round.

I assume that you will be using the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) to vie for the presidency should you get the opposition’s nod. How is PPK fairing?

I officially joined the party six or seven weeks ago. Since then, it has been the fastest-growing party in the Republic of Kenya.You can check with the Registrar of Political Parties. This is the fastest-growing party. We already have over 2,500 aspirants. So, I am glad that we have been accepted across Kenya. In terms of our registration, in terms of aspirants, we are across. Our reception when we visit any part of Kenya is epic. People of Kenya, they know us. They know the kind of work we've done. They know the kind of work we can do.

But why has the party not attracted any sitting MP, elected Governor, Senator or even MCA as was the case with DCP this year and UDA at inception in 2022?

That’s not a concern at all s not a concern at all. We are talking to very many leaders and will have a huge number of leaders joining our party. This week we received the former MP for Kipipiri and we expect to be receiving many more. Our aim is to make this party the largest in Kenya.

Finally, why should Kenyans bet on Ndindi Nyoro and believe you on matters economy?

People should give me and the opposition a chance based on our track record. People of Kenya should look at us and where we have been and decide or themselves. I think my track record in Kiharu talks for itself. In my pursuit of knowledge I have also acquired degrees and certifications in economics from the University of Nairobi, the London School of Economics and even Havard University. As a leader, I have always believed that you need to take what you know and check whether it works elsewhere before you implement it back home.