Ndindi Nyoro dumps UDA, joins opposition ahead of 2027 elections

Nyoro made the announcement on Monday at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, where he declared that he and his supporters had joined the People's Party of Kenya.

The lawmaker said his decision followed nearly a year of consultations and introspection, during which he engaged several opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, former Cabinet Secretaries Peter Munya and  Fred Matiang'i, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

Nyoro said his consultations were informed by the need to determine the political direction that would best serve Kenyans ahead of the 2027 polls.

“I have been carrying a heavy burden. I have been thinking and praying that in whatever direction I take, politically speaking, the people of Kenya must be the great consideration that I have,” Nyoro said.

He said his experience in government had given him an opportunity to assess the country's performance across different sectors and reflect on what needed to change.

“I have had an opportunity to be at a place I am serving Kenya where I had a bird's-eye view of Kenya across all the sectors. I have taken time to scroll through every sector, and what we can do in every sector so that after next year August, Kenya becomes a much better country than even where Kibaki left,” he said.

Nyoro said he had also come to appreciate the difference between campaigning and governing after serving in government.

“Through the lessons of campaigns and the lessons during governance, I have come to appreciate that it is easier to campaign than to govern,” he said.

The Kiharu MP said he would begin a series of political tours across the country, with Uasin Gishu, Kericho and Nandi among the areas he plans to visit.

According to Nyoro, the tours will give him an opportunity to engage voters on what happened to the government they helped elect in the 2022 General Election.

He also called on Kenyans to consider the People's Party of Kenya alongside other opposition formations as they assess the leaders seeking to take over government after the 2027 elections.

“Mkiangalia viongozi wale watapeleka Kenya mbele from next year, I also ask humbly the people of Kenya, muangalie pia People's Party. Pia wao wako na viongozi wanaweza shikana mkono na wengine na tukomboe Kenya August of next year,” Nyoro said.

The MP said his move to the opposition was also informed by his dissatisfaction with UDA, which he referred to as the “wheelbarrow party”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I know you all know we left government a long time ago and dissociated with the wheelbarrow party, the UDA. Vile naona, hata wenye wheelbarrow wenyewe watatoka waiwache,” he said.

Nyoro said he and his supporters had formally crossed into the opposition.

“Mimi kama Ndindi Nyoro na wafuasi wangu, kutoka leo, nimeingia chama inaitwa People's Party of Kenya. As all members of the People's Party of Kenya, we have today joined the opposition,” he said.

The MP also hinted at the possibility of opposition parties working together ahead of the 2027 election, saying the People's Party of Kenya would seek to work with like-minded political formations.

The Kiharu legislator was elected on a UDA ticket in the 2022 General Election and previously served as a prominent voice within the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Several opposition figures were present at the Safari Park Hotel event, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako and Senator Okong'o Omogeni.