Ndindi Nyoro announces exit from UDA, joins opposition

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has announced his exit from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying he has joined the People’s Party of Kenya and the Opposition.

Nyoro said he and his supporters had already disassociated themselves from the ruling party before formally joining the new political outfit.

“For the avoidance of doubt, you all know we left government a long time ago and disassociated ourselves with UDA,” Nyoro said.

The Kiharu MP said he had accepted an opportunity to join the People’s Party of Kenya, which he said was now part of the Opposition.

“My people and I have joined the People’s Party of Kenya. I am glad that they have given me an opportunity, and I have accepted. Together as the People’s Party of Kenya, we have joined the Opposition,” he said.

Nyoro has been a prominent figure in President William Ruto’s political camp and served as chairperson of the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Nyoro says he held extensive consultations with several opposition leaders before deciding to join the People’s Party of Kenya.

Nyoro said he had met and consulted leaders including former Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

He also said he had held lengthy consultations with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, which he said had lasted for almost a year.

Nyoro said the People’s Party of Kenya would welcome opposition politicians seeking to contest in the 2027 General Election.

He said aspirants from across the opposition would be invited to the party’s tours and activities.

The Kiharu MP also reflected on his experience in government, saying he had come to appreciate the difference between campaigning and governing.

He said the real challenge for leaders begins after winning elections, when they are expected to deliver on their promises to Kenyans.

“I've come to appreciate that it's actually easier to campaign than to govern. I have realized even after we won that the real battle was not in the campaigns. The real battle was in the deliverables that Kenyans expected,” he said.

Nyoro said he had at some point been disappointed with the performance of the administration, particularly what he described as a period of “trial and error” in its early years.

He said the experience had shaped his approach to the political decisions he is now making.

Nyoro said his political engagement going forward would focus on governance and the issues that affect ordinary Kenyans rather than simply on electoral campaigns.

He said opposition leaders needed to be clear about what they intended to deliver to the country if they won the next election.

“As we head forward, what I'll be communicating later, we must be crystal clear on the kind of things that we want to deliver to our republic, and especially the children of God who are the people of Kenya,” Nyoro said.

He said he would later outline the issues he believes should form the basis of the opposition's campaigns and how they could be delivered.