"Be like Raila, resign": Nyoro challenged to seek re-election on his new party

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah challenged Ndindi Nyoro in the National Assembly on Wednesday, August 19, after Nyoro announced he was leaving UDA

- Ichung'wah invoked the example of the late Raila Odinga, who resigned his Lang'ata seat when he left FORD-Kenya in 1994 before seeking a fresh mandate

- Nyoro announced he was joining People's Party of Kenya ahead of 2027, though his electoral ambitions remain unclear

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah publicly challenged Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro on Wednesday, August 19, to resign his parliamentary seat following Nyoro's announcement that he was leaving President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party to join the People's Party of Kenya (PPK).

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Ichung'wah questioned whether Nyoro could credibly criticise a party he still formally benefited from as a member.

Ichung'wah Invokes Raila's 1994 Precedent

The Kikuyu lawmaker pointed to the conduct of the late Raila Odinga as the standard Nyoro should follow. In 1994, Raila resigned from FORD-Kenya following bitter internal power struggles after the death of the party's founder, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. Crucially, he also gave up his Lang'ata parliamentary seat and returned to his constituents to seek a fresh mandate, this time under the National Development Party (NDP). That move sparked a wave of defections by Luo MPs and supporters from FORD-Kenya to NDP and helped cement Raila's standing as a central figure in Kenya's multiparty democracy.

"If you don't believe in a particular political party, simply leave that political party, go back to your people, seek their new mandate. But you cannot have your cake and eat it at the same time," Ichung'wah said, directing his remarks at Nyoro.

Ichung'wah Accuses Nyoro of Dishonesty

The Kikuyu MP accused Nyoro of playing to the crowd while continuing to enjoy the privileges that come with UDA membership.

"You cannot continue enjoying the powers and privileges that you enjoy as a member of a political party. Then go ahead and claim, oh, it has failed, because you want to speak to the gallery out there," Ichung'wah said.

He also warned Nyoro against attempting to silence him, adding:

"I will tell the world who you are, just like you have the liberty to tell the world who I am. So, relax. Don't be angry."

Nyoro's next political move remains unclear. He registered the People's Party of Kenya as what observers consider a vehicle for his 2027 ambitions, though it has not been confirmed whether he intends to contest the presidency or defend his Kiharu seat.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.