Ndindi Nyoro Breaks Silence, Explains Absence During Finance Bill Vote, Defends Economic Oversight Record

 By Gedion Nzyoki -

NAIROBI, Kenya | June 16, 2026 — Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has explained his absence during the Finance Bill vote, saying he was out of the country for engagements that could not be postponed, while defending his record on economic oversight and parliamentary accountability.

Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro during a past event in Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy.

In a strongly worded statement shared on his Facebook page , the lawmaker said he was not present in Parliament during the crucial vote after travelling out of the country on Wednesday evening for engagements that could not be postponed.

"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. But no explanation should absolve the blame," Nyoro said.

The lawmaker said he had received feedback from Kenyans with humility and would use the concerns raised to improve how he continues serving citizens both in Parliament and beyond.

Nyoro said he has remained committed to debating key financial legislation, including the Appropriations Bill and the Finance Bill, through committee discussions and debates on the floor of the House.

He noted that such debates have provided an important platform to inform Kenyans on issues affecting households, businesses, investment decisions, and the country’s economy.

The Kiharu MP, however, raised concerns over what he described as an unprecedented situation in Parliament where both Majority and Minority leadership are aligned, making effective oversight more challenging.

"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. That’s why we choose to do it both inside and outside," he stated.

On proposals aimed at reducing fuel prices, Nyoro said they were presented before relevant parliamentary committees but were not included in the Finance Committee’s final report.

He explained that the alternative option of introducing a private member’s bill faced procedural hurdles after being classified as a “Money Bill”, meaning it could not be introduced as an amendment during the Finance Bill debate.

According to Nyoro, the process will now continue through a separate legislative route after the Finance Bill process.

The MP also cited previous interventions where public debate and advocacy influenced national decisions, including the proposed increase in school fees for day secondary schools and the planned 15 per cent government sale of Safaricom shares.

Nyoro said the school fees proposal was later shelved after Kenyans became aware of the plan, arguing that public awareness played a role in stopping the move.

On the Safaricom shares issue, he said although the majority position prevailed in Parliament, the Judiciary later sided with their concerns, preventing the transaction from being completed.

"While the majority of numbers prevailed in Parliament, the Judiciary sided with our view and money has never changed hands. The sale has never been effected," he said.

The legislator added that he and other leaders have continued analysing economic information and sharing insights with colleagues in Parliament and beyond to strengthen oversight and provide alternative policy perspectives.

Nyoro maintained that public service requires standing for what is right even when it comes with criticism.

"Personal comfort would call for us to be quiet at critical moments, but it is unpatriotic to seek comfort over what is right," he said.

The statement comes amid public debate over the Finance Bill and renewed scrutiny on the role of lawmakers in representing citizens’ interests during major national decisions.