Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro addressing residents of Mukuyu in Murang'a county on his inagural political rally since defecting to the People Party of Kenya, August 19, 2026. /NDINDI NYORO./X
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has ruled out engaging opposition leaders in public exchanges after some of them accused him of seeking to divide the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at Mukuyu in Murang’a on Wednesday in his native Kikuyu, Nyoro said he considers himself part of the opposition and that its leaders share a common objective of defeating President William Ruto in the 2027 election.
“I tell you my brothers and sisters, there's no day you'll hear me exchanging words or disrespecting any leader in the opposition, because our goal is one, and our goal is to change Kenya in 2027, and when we change leadership, we will then change things that Kenyans wants us to change … are we together?” he said.
Nyoro, who on Monday formally announced his move from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to the People's Party of Kenya, said he would focus on issues that advance the opposition's agenda rather than trade accusations with fellow opposition figures.
His move to join the People's Party of Kenya has drawn criticism from allies of Democracy for the Citizen's Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who have accused him of playing into a government strategy to fragment Mt Kenya's political base.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu, the DCP secretary general, on Tuesday accused President William Ruto of using new political parties to split the vote-rich region ahead of the 2027 contest.
Speaking in Wamunyoro, Methu said the alleged strategy followed an earlier attempt by Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku to divide the region.
“After [Public Service] CS Geoffrey Ruku’s attempt to divide the mountain failed, we are seeing him now using another strategy which our leader [Gachagua] has warned about. We have decided here that we are under one party and behind one leader,” Methu said.
He claimed the next phase could involve backing several presidential candidates from the region in an attempt to split its vote.
“We know all the wheelbarrows that are coming up. We saw one that came up yesterday (Monday) and we were waiting for it, as we know there was one coming from Murang’a, and there are others coming up in Laikipia and Nakuru,” Methu claimed.
Nyoro, however, dismissed the criticism and said his decision to join the People's Party of Kenya should be viewed as part of a wider effort by opposition parties to build their support bases before eventually rallying behind a single candidate.
He cited the reception accorded Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi when he opened a party office in Murang’a and urged residents to extend a similar welcome to Gachagua, who is scheduled to open a DCP office in the town on Thursday.
Gachagua opened a DCP office in Gatitu, Nyeri town, on Tuesday.
“I want to ask you, tomorrow, my elder brother is like a father to me, he will also come here in Murang'a, let us receive him,” Nyoro said.
The Kiharu MP said he would henceforth limit his political messaging to two issues that he believes are central to the opposition's 2027 campaign.
“I have said I will speak these things here at home, the things that I will fight are two, and you will not hear me exchanging words with any other person, first one, is to remove Ruto.”
Nyoro's political strategy and the extent of his cooperation with other opposition formations remain unclear.
His party's launch was attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo, a prominent figure in the Linda Mwananchi movement, signalling possible links with leaders outside the People's Party of Kenya.
Any future cooperation between Nyoro and Linda Mwananchi figures could place him in the broader opposition negotiations over alliances and the choice of a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
