Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro's entry into the opposition could give the anti-government camp an opportunity to move beyond its ‘Wantam’ message and begin selling an alternative governing agenda.
Nyoro, who on Monday launched the People's Party of Kenya, said the outfit had joined the opposition and would campaign on issues affecting Kenyans rather than simply seeking to remove President William Ruto from power.
The Kiharu MP said his decision was informed by lessons from previous campaigns, particularly the difference between winning an election and governing.
“Campaigning is much easier. Governance needs more thought and is more engaging,” Nyoro said.
He unveiled proposals covering education, healthcare, jobs, manufacturing and energy, saying his party had spent time considering what could be implemented immediately after the 2027 election and what would require a longer-term approach.
The proposals offer the opposition an opportunity to respond to one of the most persistent criticisms levelled against it by President William Ruto and his allies.
The government side has consistently said the opposition has no agenda beyond insults and sloganeering.
Ruto has repeatedly challenged opposition leaders to explain what they would do differently once in power, portraying their ‘Ruto must go’ message as lacking an alternative agenda.
Nyoro is now putting some agenda items on the table, which, if picked by the opposition, could change the messaging.
On education, he has proposed free secondary education from January 2028, saying Sh35 billion could be raised from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, the county equitable share and the national government.
He has also proposed harmonising the employment of early childhood development teachers through a national commission similar to the Teachers Service Commission.
On universities, Nyoro proposes waiving tax arrears owed by public institutions and developing a funding model to ensure qualified students can access higher education. He estimates that the model would require an additional Sh80 billion.
Healthcare is another part of his proposed programme. Nyoro wants the government to take ownership of the system managing healthcare.
The MP proposes redirecting about Sh40 billion from National Social Security Fund contributions towards healthcare.
He says the money could help address chronic illnesses, upgrade facilities and improve the supply of medicines and equipment.
He also wants a national commission to handle the employment and placement of doctors and other healthcare workers, arguing that the function should not remain fragmented across the counties.
The former Budget Committee chairperson describes employment as the country's biggest problem. He proposes that every Cabinet Secretary should have targets for jobs created in their respective sectors.
He also wants the government to publish monthly or quarterly data showing net jobs created.
The proposal could give the opposition a measurable benchmark with which to judge any future government, rather than relying only on broad promises about economic growth.
Nyoro links job creation to manufacturing, arguing Kenya must lower the cost and improve the reliability of electricity to attract investment and expand production.
He proposes liberalising the power sector, leveraging KenGen assets to raise money for new generation capacity and reviewing independent power producers.
At the Coast, Nyoro proposes designating parts of Mombasa, Kwale and Lamu as Special Economic Zones to produce goods for export, comparing the idea with China's Shenzhen.
The need for such an agenda has also been acknowledged from within the opposition.
Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni has warned that the opposition cannot rely on sloganeering alone. He has also questioned whether the United Opposition has the structures and messaging required to deliver a presidential victory, making Nyoro's intervention timely.
Nyoro has also signalled he does not intend to trade accusations with other opposition leaders.
Speaking in Murang'a after launching his party, he said the opposition had a common objective of changing the government in 2027 and that he would focus on issues rather than exchanging words with fellow opposition politicians.
But Nyoro's attempt to build an issue-based opposition faces an early political test in his own backyard.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua's allies have already attacked the People's Party as a “wheelbarrow” to fragment the region's opposition vote.
This presents Nyoro with a difficult balancing act at the opposition table. While he wants to participate in the broader opposition effort to challenge Ruto, his acceptance on that table is likely to face resistance from Gachagua.
However, Nyoro has also received backing from opposition ranks. Jubilee deputy leader Fred Matiang’i said he “enthusiastically” looks forward to engaging and collaborating with the Peoples’ party to win next year’s General Election.
“Your latest decision will create more opportunities for effective political participation, while enhancing our collective chances of restoring better leadership in our country,” Matiang’i said.
