Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has announced his departure from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and joined the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK), declaring that he and his supporters will now operate within the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election. Nyoro made the announcement on Monday, August 17, 2026, during a media briefing in Nairobi, bringing to an end his association with the ruling party and opening a new chapter in his political career. The lawmaker also took up the leadership of the PPK, positioning the party as part of the broader opposition political space as parties and individual leaders continue to realign ahead of the 2027 polls.

“I, Ndindi Nyoro, from today, I have joined a party called People’s Party of Kenya,” the Kiharu MP said.

He subsequently made his position on the opposition clear, saying:

“As Ndindi Nyoro, together with my supporters, from today, I have joined a party called the People’s Party of Kenya. As members of the People’s Party of Kenya, we have today joined the opposition.”

Nyoro said his decision followed months of consultations with political leaders across the opposition. He named several figures with whom he said he had held discussions while considering his political future, including Martha Karua, Peter Munya, James Orengo, Edwin Sifuna, Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. According to the MP, the consultations were intended to help him determine the political direction that would best serve his supporters and the wider Kenyan public.

“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.

His announcement comes as Kenya’s political parties and prominent politicians increasingly position themselves for the next General Election, with the opposition seeking to build a stronger challenge to President William Ruto. Nyoro’s departure is significant because he has previously been regarded as one of Ruto’s prominent political allies. The Kiharu MP was elected to Parliament on a UDA ticket and became closely associated with the Kenya Kwanza administration. His political profile grew considerably during Ruto’s rise to power, particularly because of his influence among younger voters and his strong presence in economic and parliamentary debates. His move to the opposition therefore represents a notable change from his previous political alignment.

The timing is also significant for the Mt Kenya region, where political loyalties have become increasingly contested ahead of 2027. Nyoro’s decision comes shortly after other leaders from the region began distancing themselves from UDA, adding to the political realignment taking place ahead of the election. By joining the People’s Party of Kenya, Nyoro now has a party platform through which he can participate in the opposition’s political activities ahead of 2027. He urged Kenyans to consider PPK as one of the political alternatives in the coming election, arguing that the party has leaders capable of working with other political formations.

“When you look at the leaders who will take Kenya forward from next year, I also humbly ask the people of Kenya to consider the People’s Party. They, too, have leaders who can work together with others so that we can liberate Kenya in August next year,” he said.

Nyoro also said members of other opposition parties would be welcome at PPK rallies, signalling an intention to work with other opposition formations rather than operate entirely independently. Nyoro’s departure adds another layer to the political contest taking shape before the 2027 General Election. Opposition leaders have increasingly been discussing cooperation, coalition-building and the possibility of presenting a united challenge to Ruto. However, Nyoro’s decision to join the opposition does not by itself establish that he will be a presidential candidate, running mate or part of a particular coalition ticket in 2027. He has not made a definitive declaration of a presidential bid.

For now, his immediate political position is that he has left UDA, taken leadership of PPK and aligned himself with the opposition. The move also places Nyoro among a growing group of politicians attempting to establish new political vehicles or alliances before the next election. The effectiveness of PPK and Nyoro’s influence within the opposition will ultimately depend on whether the party can build a significant grassroots presence and establish working relationships with other opposition formations. His announcement therefore marks the beginning of a new political phase rather than the conclusion of the wider realignment expected to unfold before the 2027 polls.