Former late President Mwai Kibaki was trending on Thursday morning as Kenyans flooded X with comparisons between him and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
The surge in online reactions followed Nyoro’s appearance on Citizen TV’s JKL Live on Wednesday night, where he discussed the economy, education and leadership alongside Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Nyoro, who spoke extensively about leadership readiness and economic discipline, said past leaders such as Kibaki had been well-prepared before assuming office.
“The problem we have as leaders is that we are not ready to lead, not prepared even as we look for elective positions. We later take time in capacity building,” he said, noting that Kibaki came into power with a clear plan and economic blueprint.
The discussion came hours after Nyoro unveiled a major fee-relief programme for day secondary school students in Kiharu.
Under the initiative, parents will only pay Sh500 per term this year.
"There will be no other charges in our day schools. We implement the programme because we know the country is capable of providing free education,” he said.
"We must stop making education a campaign tool," he said while addressing parents at Maragi Primary School on Tuesday.
The rollout, part of the Masomo Bora education programme, will cover more than 12,000 students in Grade 10, Form Three and Form Four.
The scheme includes a full-week feeding programme, with schools serving chapati on the last Friday of every month.
The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) has allocated Sh10 million for revision materials and learning support.
Each school will also receive Sh50,000 for extracurricular activities to ensure students participate in clubs and sports.
Another Sh50 million has been earmarked for infrastructure upgrades, mainly laboratories and libraries.
Teachers and school heads will benefit from an incentive scheme that includes educational trips.
Top subject teachers will travel to Mombasa, while principals from the best-performing and most improved schools in every ward will get a trip to Dubai.
Why Kibaki is trending
Nyoro’s remarks on leadership, combined with ongoing public nostalgia for Kibaki-era economic stability, ignited a wave of comments on X.
Users drew parallels between the two leaders, with some praising Nyoro’s development agenda.
One user, George Njoro, wrote: “Nyoro has the quality of Kibaki; humble and straightforward.”
Another, Josphat Mugo, commented: “There is a Kibaki in Ndindi Nyoro.”
Babu Owino also drew comparisons of his own, with one user saying: “Babu has that of (late former Prime Minister) Raila, to hold the government accountable and readiness to defend the people.”
A longer analysis from another Kenyan user stated: “We cannot continue seeking other countries' frameworks yet Kibaki laid the Vision 2030 blueprint for Kenya. Both Babu and Ndindi emphasised education as a core factor in economic development.”
Other reactions captured the national mood around the debate. One David Ireri said, “Kibaki believed Kenya could stand on its own feet.”, with JMM adding, “Day school fees should be free because Kibaki did it.”
Bwana Mulwa Himself noted that “Ndindi is wearing Kibaki’s shoes… Babu is fitting into Baba’s.”, while Don Fasa was of the opinion that “Gen Z are beneficiaries of Kibaki’s free education. They might be the secret weapon to change this country.”
Commenting on the duo, DJ Jayden 254 said they are “the kind of sober leaders we want… Our today’s Kibakis.”
The online debate has positioned Nyoro at the centre of renewed public conversation about leadership style, economic management and education reforms - themes strongly associated with the Kibaki era.
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