A fresh political battle over the future of Mt Kenya has erupted after Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa accused Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro of playing a key role in the political fallout between President William Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Thursday, Thang’wa claimed Nyoro was deliberately positioned to weaken Gachagua while he was still Deputy President, alleging that the Kiharu MP was being used to challenge the authority of the holder of the second-highest office in the country.
“Actually, the problem of Rigathi Gachagua started with Ndindi Nyoro,” Thang’wa said, adding that Nyoro “was used by William Ruto to undermine the office of the deputy president.”
The senator also questioned Nyoro’s political direction following his decision to leave the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and take charge of the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) in August.
Thang’wa described Nyoro as a political ally of Ruto and questioned his links to the President, while also challenging the Kiharu MP to explain claims about his financial and business interests.
“Ndindi Nyoro is a proxy of Ruto,” Thang’wa said.
The senator further alleged that Nyoro and Ruto had interests in a bank used by county governments and claimed that Nyoro was a major shareholder in Kenya Power. Thang’wa did not provide evidence for the claims during the interview.
He also brought up the impeachment proceedings against Gachagua, questioning Nyoro’s conduct during the process.
According to Thang’wa, questions were raised over Nyoro’s political loyalty, particularly after allegations that some senators had been offered money to leave the chamber during the impeachment proceedings. He linked Nyoro’s absence from the proceedings to the doubts surrounding his position on Gachagua’s removal.
Nyoro, however, has rejected suggestions that he is opposed to Gachagua or that the two are political rivals.
Speaking to Citizen TV’s Jeff Koinange on Wednesday, Nyoro said he maintains a cordial relationship with Gachagua as well as other opposition figures.
“I have fair relationships with all opposition leaders, including Rigathi Gachagua,” Nyoro said.
The Kiharu MP also dismissed suggestions that his failure to attend Gachagua’s political consultations was a sign of hostility between the two leaders.
“I believe we are not competitors. When Gachagua comes back, I will go for tea; we are not enemies, we are friends,” Nyoro said.
Nyoro’s move to PPK has added another layer to the political realignment taking shape in Mt Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He became the party leader in August after leaving UDA, instead of joining Gachagua’s Democratic Congress Party (DCP), which several Mt Kenya leaders who broke ranks with the ruling party have aligned themselves with.
His decision to establish a separate political path has since raised questions over whether PPK could develop into another centre of political influence in the region as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.