‘We wi*l not sideline you based on voting patterns’ – Ndindi Nyoro tells Kisumu residents

Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has assured the Nyanza region of the Kenya Kwanza government support, regardless of their voting pattern in the last presidential election.

Speaking during a fundraiser at St. Cecilia KUSA Catholic Parish in Nyakach, Kisumu County, on Sunday, January 28, the outspoken legislator stated that residents in the region considered the opposition stronghold deserve equal distribution of government resources because they pay taxes, like the rest of Kenyans.

The MP, currently serving as the chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly, told the locals that President William Ruto is opposed to the marginalization of communities based on their political affiliation.

"I am a close friend of our President William Ruto. I want to assure you that our President considers all Kenyans equal," he stated.

"Even during our committee meetings for the allocation of resources, the President emphasizes not looking at how people voted. Instead, we look at Kenyans as one compact country because everyone pays taxes."

He assured that the region would be prioritised in development like other parts of the country, where the Kenya Kwanza leaders received overwhelming support in the last elections.

"I want to assure you that our government, led by President William Ruto and our deputy, does not sideline Kenyans. Whether it's the allocation of the budget or the distribution to other counties, we do so equitably, including those in the opposition. We consider all Kenyans in the 47 counties as deserving because you, the people of Kisumu, pay taxes like the rest of Kenyans. We will not sideline you.

"Our president understands this, and that's why he is against tribalism in the distribution of funds from the national government," the MP added.

He told former Nyakach MP Pollynes Daima that he had a right to demand services from the national government. This is after the MP expressed concerns that Nyakach Sub-county Hospital lacked requisite infrastructure.

"There is no need to beg for help from the government. You have a right to demand government services," he said.

Divisive shareholding remarks

Nyoro's remarks could also be interpreted by a section of the political class as a subtle response to Gachagua's comments regarding the Kenya Kwanza government 'rewarding' their strongholds after the August 2022 poll victory.

Gachagua stirred a storm early last year after likening the Kenya Kwanza government to a company, where some Kenyans have more shares than others.

The country's second in command said the national government is like a limited company, where those who elected President Ruto are the biggest shareholders and must benefit first.

“This government is a company that has shares. There are owners who have the majority of shares, and those with just a few, while others do not have any. You invested in this government and you must reap. You sowed, tilled, put manure and irrigated, and now it is time to reap,” he remarked during a past function in Kericho in February 2023, sparking protests from the opposition led by Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga,

“Elections have significance. You cannot make noise talking ill of Ruto and after he wins you get in line to get benefits before those who were with him."

Gachagua noted that he had appointed himself as the guardian of the State House to ensure members of the opposition get the least consideration in, among others, state appointments.

“That is my work at State House; controlling that queue and deciding who is ahead of whom,” he added.

However, in October of last year, President Ruto distanced himself from Gachagua's remarks, terming them as divisive and primitive.

The president, who spoke during his development tour in Raila's Nyanza backyard, said all Kenyans deserve equal treatment regardless of whom they supported in the August poll.

"It is primitive and backward for anybody to imagine that any region of Kenya cannot get development on accounts of how they voted,” Ruto stated.