Principal figures in President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition have moved to resolve internal friction with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro by ejecting him from the influential Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) of the National Assembly.
In the latest reshuffle, he has been replaced on BAC with Mathioya MP Dr Edwin Mugo.
Mr Nyoro has now been reassigned to a less influential parliamentary role in the Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee.
The move has been widely interpreted as political retaliation for Mr Nyoro’s sustained criticism of the government’s economic policies, marking a sharp fall from grace for a man once considered one of Dr Ruto’s most trusted allies.
Earlier this year, Mr Nyoro, once a fierce Ruto ally and chair of the BAC, was downgraded to an ordinary committee member.
His continued criticism of the administration's fiscal and monetary policies ultimately led to his complete removal.
Announcing the changes, Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango MP) urged members to serve where assigned, citing the complexity of balancing committee allocations in line with regional, gender and professional considerations.
“There is no committee that is superior to another. Members should embrace their assignments and use them to gain experience,” said Mr Osoro.
His fall from President Ruto's favour has been gradual. His neutrality during efforts to impeach then-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua further alienated him from the President’s inner circle. He skipped key votes at the National Assembly including the approval of Prof Kithure Kindiki as Mr Gachagua's replacement.
Despite pressure from both Dr Ruto and Gachagua camps, Mr Nyoro maintained political focus on his Kiharu Constituency.
From there, he frequently criticised government policies such as reduced capitation for secondary schools (from Sh22,000 to Sh16,000) and the Affordable Housing Act, which imposes a 1.5percent salary deduction on employees and employers.
Recently, he also questioned the government’s handling of the debt crisis, contradicting assurances by the President and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. He also blamed rising fuel prices on domestic over-taxation and accused the administration of borrowing Sh175 billion against fuel levy proceeds without parliamentary approval — a move he termed opaque and fiscally reckless.
In contrast, his replacement — Dr Mugo — is widely seen as a staunch Ruto supporter from Murang’a County, a region where Mr Gachagua still enjoys some backing.
Other committee changes include Runyenjes MP Karemba Muchangi who was moved from Chair of the Constitution Implementation and Oversight Committee (CIOC) to the Public Petitions Committee, chaired by Vihiga MP Ernest Kagesi. He had earlier chaired the Labour and Social Affairs Committee.
Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, now aligned with President Ruto, has been moved to the Labour Committee replacing Nakuru Woman Rep Liza Chelule, who joins the Regional Development Committee.
Teso South MP Mary Emase has been transferred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), replacing former Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku who is now Public Service Cabinet Secretary.
Matuga MP John Okano joins the Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Committee, also filling a slot vacated by Mr Ruku.
Kirinyaga Woman Rep Njeri Maina, a Gachagua ally, was moved from the National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee to the rarely convened Committee on Powers and Privileges. She was replaced by Kiambu Woman Rep Anne Muratha.
Kibra MP Peter Orero replaces the late Ong’ondo Were on the National Cohesion Committee and Homa Bay Woman Rep Joyce Bensuda replaces Mr Orero on the Blue Economy, Water, and Irrigation Committee.
