President William Ruto has finally addressed the controversy surrounding the removal of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro as the chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly.
Ruto Denies Personal Involvement in Nyoro’s Removal
In an interview on Monday, March 31, President Ruto clarified that Ndindi Nyoro’s removal from the position of chair was not a personal decision. He emphasized that the change was part of a larger parliamentary transition process.
“Ndindi Nyoro is a very fine gentleman, and I am mentoring him politically. He was the chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, and he is no longer the chairman because the tenure of all committee chairmen in the National Assembly came to an end,” Ruto stated.
He added, “Following this, members of the committees had to elect their new chairmen, and the decision of who is to be voted in is not decided by the President; it is decided by MPs through voting.”
Restructuring After Formation of Broad-Based Government
President Ruto further explained that the restructuring of the committee leadership was part of the broader government formation process. This restructuring, he said, influenced the allocation of leadership positions in various committees.
“I don’t know if Ndindi Nyoro offered himself to be re-elected. What I know is that after we formed the broad-based government, we agreed that some committees’ chairmanship positions would be occupied by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM),” he said.
Nyoro’s position as chair of the committee was taken over by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi.
Nyoro Responds to His Dismissal
Following his removal, Ndindi Nyoro shared his thoughts on the matter during an appearance at his office on Tuesday, March 18. The MP stated that he was unaware of the reasons behind his removal as chair.
Nyoro clarified that he had never received any complaints or feedback regarding his performance from the Kenya Kwanza leadership, including President Ruto.
“I also do not know. I am also saying that in good faith because I have not come here to blame anyone. I only came to set the record straight,” he said, adding that he learned about his ouster through media reports.
“No one in the leadership of our coalition, from whichever position, has ever called me in regards to the position, what I need to do better, what I need to change or things that need to be done in a different manner. I read in newspapers about myself the same way you do,” he explained.
