Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has publicly explained the reasons behind his strained relationship with the ruling United Democratic Alliance, saying his frustration began when the party abandoned commitments made to voters.
He singled out the handling of the economy, education funding, and the suppression of alternative voices as areas where the party has gone astray.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, during an interview with Citizen TV station, Nyoro said he had been a strong advocate for the party’s agenda but grew disappointed as UDA started prioritizing appearances over results.
The legislator, once considered a close ally of President William Ruto, said the party shifted focus after elections, straying from the promises it sold to Kenyans.
“It is the UDA party that deviated. When we were campaigning, and I had a chance to sell the party’s agenda, I think the party deviated from what we were to do,” Nyoro said.
He identified economic policy as the main issue. Nyoro argued that during the 2022 campaigns, the party pledged to adopt cautious borrowing practices, but the current approach threatens long-term financial stability.
“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,” he said.
The MP also said education has been neglected despite campaign promises. He expressed concern that young people and other dissenting voices have faced undue pressure, reflecting a shift from governance to public relations.
“We were also to give education the primacy it deserves, and I don’t think that party is doing what we sold to the people, especially when it comes to education funding. Also, what has been happening to those with dissenting voices? You have seen what has been happening to the young people. We are investing a lot in PR instead of letting the outcome speak for itself,” Nyoro said.
He said UDA’s emphasis on image management rather than performance is part of what drove him to distance himself from the party.
“I have been seeing that we are investing too much in PR telling a story, other than just letting the work speak for itself. When we were campaigning, I had a chance to come here to sell our agenda. I think the party is the one that has deviated from what we were to do,” Nyoro added.
Nyoro warned that the current borrowing strategy could undermine future growth, stressing that sustainable development requires balancing immediate spending with long-term economic health.
“We told Kenyans that we are not going to borrow the kind of money we are borrowing now. For sustainable development, it is not just about spending now, but also about the future of our economy,” he said.
He criticised the party for neglecting education and for limiting platforms for young people to express differing opinions, insisting that alternative voices are critical for national progress.
“We want to give education the primacy it deserves. I don’t think now that the party is doing what we sold to the Kenyan people, especially when it comes to funding for education and holistic issues. For example, what you are doing in terms of dissent, people are having alternative voices, as we have seen, especially with the young people,” he said.
Nyoro said Kenya’s progress should be measured by economic performance, highlighting that the country is trailing regional peers.
“I am disappointed, especially in the economy, because for all the countries that we may admire, Asian tigers, Western countries, what makes a country progressive is how it performs economically. We have not been doing very well,” he said.
He cited projected growth figures, noting Kenya’s 4.9 per cent forecast in 2025 falls behind Uganda at 6.5 per cent, Tanzania growing faster, and Rwanda projected at 9 per cent, with the third quarter showing double-digit growth.
Nyoro also compared GDP growth under previous governments, showing that Kenya’s pace under UDA is slower.
“When President Kibaki took over in 2003, our GDP in dollar terms was around $19 billion Sh2.45 trillion). In his first three years, it went up to $26 billion Sh3.35 trillion), a 36 per cent increment. Under President Uhuru in 2013, the economy grew from $61 billion Sh7.87 trillion) to $64 billion Sh8.26 trillion), around 21 per cent. When we (UDA) took over, GDP was around $114 billion Sh14.71 trillion), projected to reach $130.1 billion Sh16.78 trillion) by the end of 2025, that’s 14.9 per cent.”
He explained his point using an education analogy:
“If you multiply by two for mental comparison in terms of KNEC exams, President Kibaki’s three years is about 72 per cent, Uhuru around 42 per cent, ours is 29 per cent. What grade is that? It’s an F. That’s why I am disappointed,” Nyoro said.
Nyoro stressed that constructive criticism and truth are essential for Kenya’s development, and that his voice reflects a commitment to the promises made to citizens.
“We all want Kenya to progress, and that is why we keep on giving alternative voices. But for Kenya to progress, we have to start on the basis of reality and truth, so that when we tell Kenyans we are going in this direction, even whispers will speak loudly,” he said.
Ndindi Nyoro, formerly the chair of the National Assembly Budget Committee, lost the position after falling out with UDA. His role was subsequently filled by Sam Atandi of the Orange Democratic Movement.
