Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

A section of Kiharu residents have criticised President William Ruto's claims about his relationship with MP Ndindi Nyoro.

During a roundtable media interview, the president heaped praise on Nyoro, revealing that he is closely mentoring the youthful Kiharu lawmaker and other young leaders politically.

"Ndindi Nyoro is a fine gentleman. I am the one who is mentoring him in politics," Ruto said.

However, on Tuesday, April 1, Nyoro's supporters sharply differed with the sentiments expressed by the president.

One resident said it was the Kiharu lawmaker who introduced Ruto to Mt Kenya, helping him to win the 2022 presidential election.

"I heard yesterday the president saying he has been mentoring Ndindi Nyoro. Have you forgotten that he is a second-term MP, and he is the one who enabled you to get Mt Kenya votes? We know the work he has being doing so leave him alone," a resident said.

Another supporter claimed the president was trying to associate himself with Nyoro because of his development track record.

Another agitated supporter wondered why Ruto was claiming to be a friend of Nyoro, yet he okayed his removal from the powerful Budget and Appropriation chairmanship position.

"He thinks we are foools. If he is mentoring Nyoro politically, why did he remove him from the budget committee position? We know the work that Nyoro did for Ruto to win the election. And that budget committee is negotiated, and we know its the president who removed him from that seat," another resident said.

The agitated residents vowed to ensure Ruto is voted out in the upcoming 2027 General Election for betraying Nyoro.

"We know the reason why the president is claiming to be mentoring our MP. It is because he has consistently been ranked number one in the country. Please leave our son alone; don't mistake his silence. If you are his mentor, why didn't you persuade the MP's to reelect him to the position?" another president posed.

Meanwhile, the Kiharu lawmaker stated that he was only focused on development and political rhetoric with his opponents.

Nyoro, who recently won an award as the best performing MP, toured the Kandundu Estate in Murang'a Town to inspect completed roadworks and launch the Kiharu NG-CDF-funded Kenneth Matiba Comprehensive School.

During the commissioning of the newly tarmacked Kandundu Road and classroom construction in Kandundu Ward, Nyoro emphasised his commitment to impactful projects.

The former chair of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee urged leaders from all political formations to prioritise service delivery, emphasising that tangible projects, not political infighting, define legacies.

Source: TUKO.co.ke