'You're a mole!' Ndindi Nyoro under intense fire for skipping Finance Bill vote

The Bill sailed through its Third Reading with 122 votes in favour and 40 against, clearing the way for it to be forwarded to President William Ruto for assent.

Only 162 Members of the National Assembly participated in the decisive vote out of 349 elected and nominated MPs, raising questions about legislative engagement during a critical economic decision.

Kenyans could not understand how the MP, who had recently become one of the most vocal leaders opposing a myriad of the government's flawed policies, could suddenly miss in the August House to put his money where his mouth was. 

After the bill passed, Kenyans took to social media to call out the legislator for his convenient absenteeism despite his unflinching criticism of the budgeting and taxation direction being taken by the Kenya Kwanza government. 

"I ask this government: do you want to break the record of borrowing? I think the better records to break are the records of good governance, not the records of profligate borrowing as we see it now," he said in a June 9 session.

“The money we have borrowed so far, of close to Ksh.,nom4.5 trillion, is enough money to have had 100 kilometres of completed tarmac road in every constituency,” he said as he illustrated how borrowing had gone out of hand under President Ruto. 

Many Kenyans directed their missiles at the former chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, calling out his apparent doublespeak and slamming him for only paying lip service to issues affecting Kenyans, terming him an opportunistic pretender. 

Activist Cop Shakur wrote, "I'm shocked that Ndindi Nyoro did not participate in the voting of the Finance Bill 2027. He had been complaining about the bill, but when it came time to vote, that is where he drew the line. I'm disappointed. When Raila was alive, MPs allied to him came out and voted against bills they opposed, regardless of the expected outcome."

"These MPs have failed us. I don't think I will listen to any explanation they give. Our lives are going to be harder because of the choices they made."

Another X user said: "Ndindi Nyoro is an enemy of the people... He puts on a sheep's skin but deep inside he is still a wolf. To all these politicians, this country is their dining table and we are the recipe."

Aware of the public anger he had instigated, Nyoro took to social media to attempt to calm the masses, defending his absence by claiming that he was out of the country on an engagement he couldn't have afforded to miss.

"The vote for the Finance Bill happened yesterday; disappointingly, I was not in Parliament. I travelled out of the Country on Wednesday evening for engagements that could not have been postponed. No explanation should absolve the blame,” he wrote on X.

“As for the feedback we have received from all Kenyans, we take it with humility.”

Nyoro emphasised that citizen input plays a crucial role in shaping legislative accountability and economic decision-making.

The MP also defended his track record in parliamentary debate on fiscal legislation.

"We have always been available and forthright in debating both the Appropriations Bill and the Finance Bill on the committee and on the floor of the House as a commitment to giving a different and alternative view,” the statement read.

He further highlighted structural challenges within Parliament, arguing that oversight capacity has been weakened.

“Parliament is in an unprecedented phase where both the Majority and the Minority leadership are on the same side, thereby making it difficult to effectively act as an institution of oversight,” Nyoro said, explaining why he and others have chosen to engage both inside and outside.

A key issue raised in his statement was the proposed reduction of fuel prices, which he said faced procedural hurdles.

According to Nyoro, the proposal was not included in the Finance Committee’s final report, and attempts to introduce it through a private member’s bill were blocked on procedural grounds.

“The alternative that was left was that of initiating a private member bill. However, this was deemed as a Money Bill and could not be carried as an amendment in the Finance Bill on the Floor,” he explained.

Nyoro also pointed to past interventions, including opposition to a proposed increase in school fees and scrutiny of the planned 15 per cent government sale of Safaricom shares, arguing that parliamentary and public pressure has previously influenced policy reversals.

“We are glad that together, we have achieved many things through debate, talking about them in forums & media and sharing information,” he said, adding that personal comfort would call for us to be quiet at critical moments, but it is unpatriotic to seek comfort over what is right.

However, his explanation didn't mean much to Kenyans, with the attacks multiplying and coming in from all quarters.

An unimpressed lawyer Willis Otieno shot back, writing, "Buda, usitubebe ufala. It is becoming a recurring pattern that whenever Parliament is confronted with consequential votes that directly affect the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans, you are conveniently outside the country."

He added, "After months of fiery rhetoric, media appearances, and vehement opposition to the Finance Bill, your conspicuous absence at the decisive moment raises legitimate questions about your sincerity and political fortitude. Were the interviews merely performative? Was the outrage simply a public relations exercise?"

Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru also reacted, writing: "Where were you during the Voting?….. Why are you always absent when the nation needs you most? Don’t you know making a bad decision is better than refusing to make any at all?”

X user Naomi Waithira also responded, saying, "I think Kenyans  overrated you .You made many of us believe you were clever, wise, and confident, but the more I listen and observe, the more I realize that image was largely built on perception rather than substance. YOU ARE A MOLE. Bye."

Yet another irate Kenyan responded: "You're a traitor. You're a mole. You're a liar. You're a hypocrite. You're corrupt. You're a sellout. You're a fraud. You're a puppet. You're a conman. You're a double dealer. You're a swindler. You're an empty suit. You're an opportunist. You're a crook. You're a snake. FOH!"

On his part, Kariuki Nyaga said, "Every time there's something important in parliament, you find a compelling reason to be absent...Finance Bill 25, Gachagua Impeachment, Finance bill 26... Kenyans sent you to Parliament and not on a paid sightseeing tour. We ni mkora wa kawaida bana na watu wamekujua!"

The National Assembly passed the Finance Bill 2026 on Thursday evening, June 18, with 122 votes in favour and 40 against, with no abstentions.

Speaker Moses Wetangula announced that 103 votes were electronic and 19 manual in support, while 36 were electronic and 4 manual against. Only about 162 MPs were present out of 349, raising concerns over absenteeism during a key fiscal vote.