MP Ndindi Nyoro fence-sitting gamble as Mt Kenya shifts ahead of 2027

This indecisiveness is now feared to be degenerating into a crisis that might destroy his promising political career, which appeared to shine brighter during the 13 years he has been in electoral politics.

Mr Nyoro, in his request to be given time to reflect and make up his mind, argued that he did not wish to repeat what he termed his past mistake of jumping into a formation without a concrete plan.

The press conference at which he made the promise of declaring his stand by July 25 preceded trouble with netizens after he had earlier participated in the national debate about the Finance Bill 2026—passionately opposing it but failing to attend the National Assembly session when it was voted through.

He was to later admit liability, saying he was out of the country at the time the vote was taken, “but I have now realised that it is not a good explanation and I needed to have been in Parliament to vote”.

Mr Nyoro had also been tasked to declare his stand on the October 2024 impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President.

The impeachment came a few months after Mr Nyoro’s allies in Murang’a County had warned President William Ruto that he risked losing his 2027 re-election bid unless he dropped Mr Gachagua as running mate and replaced him with the Kiharu MP.

Mr Nyoro explained that he was against the impeachment and had tried to talk the government out of it but was ignored.

“You have never heard Gachagua complain about me regarding that impeachment. I did not cast my vote when the impeachment motion was tabled in the National Assembly…” he said.

Unsure of next step 

Mr Nyoro, however, said he was no longer inspired by the government’s agenda, saying he was no longer supporting it—but was still unsure of where he would next pitch his political ambitions.

“I cannot be with this government while speaking the way I do. But I will not be in a hurry to declare a stand. I know exactly what I need to say so that I can become an instant sensation but I will not. I need time to consult and will come back in three or four weeks to announce where I seek to go, partner with whom and enter into what formation,” he said.

He is yet to honour his self-imposed deadline even after most of his Young Turks colleagues, such as Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino, have since aligned themselves with efforts to vote out President Ruto in 2027.

Mr Nyoro did not respond to our queries about when he intends to make his stand known.

Mr Gachagua, who appears to be enjoying a firmer grip on Mr Nyoro’s Mountain backyard, has since warned that “we are nearing that final bend where everyone unleashes the last kick towards the finishing tape…Politics in the Mountain can be very unforgiving to the uncertain…We are in that phase where indecision is a risky undertaking”.

Political scientist Felix Wangwe says the uncertainty bedeviling Mr Nyoro depicts a man entangled in an intricate web of clashing interests.

“You know politicians are very sensitive when it comes to their economic health. In politics they can do or say anything. They only get sober when it is about financial gain or threat. Looking at Mr Nyoro and his earlier firebrand politics, it is not hard to guess he is being humbled by the economic angle of decision-making,” he said.

Mr Wangwe said the biggest consideration about Mr Nyoro’s politics is acceptability first in the Mountain region before he can think of the national platform.

“But in politics people gossip...You will hear some say he wants to vie for the presidency or be a running mate to someone. So far, the options are still there. How successful he can be is a matter of mathematics and fate,” he said.

As his indecisiveness persists, Mr Nyoro has continued to be a hot debate both in Murang’a political space, the Mountain region and online, the common denominator being that he must declare his stand.

His opposition in Kiharu is building up, with his opponent in the last two general elections, Mr Karanja Mburu, declaring a third attempt to unseat him on a Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.

Communications Authority board chairman Mr Charles Karondo has also declared interest in unseating him on the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.

In Murang’a County, Mr Nyoro is the only elected leader in the big four positions—Governor, Senator, MP and Woman Rep—yet to make his stand known.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Senator Joe Nyutu, Kandara MP Chege Njuguna, Edwin Muriu (Gatanga) and Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo) have since aligned with DCP under the leadership of Mr Gachagua.

Woman Rep Betty Maina, Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, her Kangema counterpart Peter Kihungi and Edwin Mugo (Mathioya) have remained loyal to the broad-based government under the leadership of President William Ruto. From the same county, nominated Senator Veronica Maina and nominated MP Sabina Chege have remained loyal to President Ruto.

Political pundits now warn Mr Nyoro that he is risking big time by remaining on the fence in a region that is known to have no favourites in times of emotional voting seasons.

“I wouldn’t fancy seeing Mr Nyoro go down politically…It appears he has too many considerations he is weighing. But he should know that Mt Kenya is one region that has voters who dictate where their aspirants are more acceptable. It is not about him but about where the people want him,” said political analyst Mr Malila Munywoki.

With 12 months now to the 2027 General Election, Mr Nyoro is being reminded by Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Mr Wachira Kiago of the furious nature of Mountain politics.

“If you were to listen to these people, they appear to have since formed a strong perception against this government, which you too admit. It tells you that they will vote in a certain way. It can only mean there are those tricky considerations dragging you down. The faster you make a decision about your politics, the better for you,” Mr Kiago said.

He added that Mr Nyoro is a bright politician who won’t have problems recalling how Uhuru Kenyatta, Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth and Wangari Maathai were punished in the course of their politics when they took turns that were not popular among area voters.

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