Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro’s growing political influence could face a major test ahead of the 2027 General Election as questions over his changing positions and economic record threaten to shape how voters view his ambitions, communication strategist Mundalo M. Advice has said.
Speaking during a Radio Generation interview on Thursday, Mundalo, who is the managing director of Two Cents Leadership Institute, said Nyoro had created high expectations by building his political image around his understanding of economics.
He said the same image was now exposing the MP to closer scrutiny, with voters likely to compare his current views with positions he has taken in the past.
“People generally do not like an inconsistent leader, and apeople generally do not like it when they can't place you. And I think his biggest problem is that he spread himself too much,” Mundalo said.
Nyoro, who holds a degree in economics from Kenyatta University, entered Parliament in 2013 and has over the years become known for his focus on economic policy, public finance and development.
Parliament lists his areas of interest as the economy, financial services and governance, while economic discourse is among the special skills associated with him.
His national profile rose further before the 2022 General Election when he became one of President William Ruto’s prominent allies. Nyoro campaigned for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Kenya Kwanza coalition before taking over as chairperson of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee.
The position placed him at the centre of discussions around taxation, government spending and the national budget.
However, his relationship with UDA changed after the 2022 election, with Nyoro later accusing the party of moving away from some of the commitments made during the campaign.
In January 2026, he said the government had departed from promises on borrowing, education funding and the management of the economy.
“I have spoken on several issues, but the primary one is on the economy. We told Kenyans that we were not going to borrow the kind of money that we are borrowing now,” Nyoro said at the time.
Nyoro formally announced his exit from UDA in July 2026, citing frustration and political alienation.
He said the party had abandoned its original mission and maintained that his political decisions would from then on be guided by what he believed was in the interests of Kenyans.
His departure has also marked a change in his political stance, with the Kiharu MP stepping up criticism of the government over its economic management, borrowing levels, education funding and handling of young people who have opposed government policies.
Nyoro has also called for leadership that gives greater attention to long-term economic sustainability instead of short-term spending.
The MP has since moved towards the People's Party of Kenya (PPK), whose agenda focuses on inclusive governance, equitable development, accountability, social justice and people-centred development.
The party's platform also includes proposals on food security, irrigation, agricultural productivity and access to economic opportunities.
The new political direction gives Nyoro a platform to present himself as an alternative to the Ruto administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He has previously said his political decision was based on determining “the kind of Kenya we would want to have” rather than pursuing political convenience.
But Mundalo said Nyoro’s reputation as an economic voice could also become one of his biggest political challenges because his current positions can be compared with his earlier record.
“When you raise your bar that high, people judge you according to the bar that you've actually given unto them,” he said.
Mundalo pointed to Nyoro’s criticism of policies linked to his time in the Budget and Appropriations Committee, saying some voters could question the difference between his earlier position and his current criticism.
“When you start telling the people that 16% VAT on fuel is disastrous, we have been here, and some people can actually remember that the person who introduced the 16% was actually yourself in Parliament, and you put up a defence to it.”
Despite the criticism, Mundalo said Nyoro could remain a strong political force in Murang’a, especially in Kiharu.
He, however, said the MP would face a much tougher task if he sought the presidency, arguing that such an ambition would require him to deal with questions surrounding his political record and credibility.
The communication strategist said Nyoro was likely to retain the Kiharu parliamentary seat but would struggle to secure the presidency.
He added that a presidential campaign could still give Nyoro an opportunity to win a sizeable share of the vote in Murang’a, potentially cutting into the support that opposition candidates would otherwise receive.
Mundalo also said Nyoro’s political rise had at times been helped by periods when his claims did not face strong scrutiny or competing views.
He said the MP must now convince voters that his new political path is based on a clear and consistent political position rather than another change in direction.
Mundalo further advised Nyoro to improve his political image by openly admitting mistakes and explaining changes in his views instead of trying to maintain an image of always being right.